Lando Norris and McLaren remain upbeat for Formula One team title
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British driver Lando Norris of McLaren in action during qualifying for the Formula One Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit racetrack in Lusail on Nov 30. He qualified third.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
DOHA – Lando Norris and McLaren remained optimistic of clinching the constructors’ title, after he qualified third on Nov 30 behind George Russell and Max Verstappen for the Qatar Grand Prix on Dec 1.
After failing to secure a front-row start, the Briton said he expected a tough race but added that he had a good chance of winning, as McLaren seek to beat rivals Ferrari by at least 13 points to take their first title since 1998. Results of the race were not available at press time.
“It’s not the position we were hoping for, but it was the maximum we could do for sure,” said Norris, second in the drivers’ race.
“My lap was pretty good, but it wasn’t quick enough compared to the others. I’m happy with my lap and that I got everything out of it, but not happy with the result.”
Earlier on Nov 30, Norris gifted victory in the sprint race to McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri with a late positional swop that ensured a one-two triumph.
The gesture paid back the Australian for a similar sacrifice in Brazil in November, when Norris was still chasing the drivers’ title later won by Red Bull’s Verstappen for a fourth year in succession.
The Briton had no regrets and said he had been planning the payback since Piastri handed over the lead to him at Interlagos.
“I didn’t have to do it if I didn’t want to. I told my engineer that I would do it,” Norris told reporters. “I told him before the race if we have a bit of a gap and we’re first and second, and then I would try and do it.
“He (engineer William Joseph) was telling me (over the radio) not to do it because I think the gap to George (Russell) was probably a bit too fine for their liking.
“But, you know, Oscar did his part in trying to help me get closer to Max in the championship and give that opportunity a go. I deserved that right to have a chance and that’s how we have to work as a team, when one of us has that opportunity.
“And I returned the favour today.”
On qualifying, Piastri said: “Not what we wanted, but while we are disappointed with third and fourth, we are still ahead of Ferrari and that’s good for us.”
Ahead of the final two grands prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, McLaren on 623 points lead by 30, leaving Ferrari with a daunting challenge to close the gap.
“I felt like I did a good job,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying fifth. “Both of my laps were on the limit, but it was not enough. But it is the way it is – we have to maximise our points here and it is difficult for us now.
“But there is everything to play for on Sunday and that’s when the points are scored. We were quite strong in the sprint, so that is a positive, but to be starting behind them is negative.
“So, we focus on ourselves and then see if it is enough.”
Red Bull’s newly crowned four-time champion Verstappen originally took pole ahead of Mercedes’ Russell, but was dropped a place behind the British driver by stewards for blocking his rival.
AFP, REUTERS
