Lando Norris qualifies second but knows what he must do to claim title in Qatar

So now Lando Norris knows what he needs to do. If he can beat Oscar Piastri by four points in Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, and finish ahead of Max Verstappen, he will be crowned Formula One world champion for the first time.

Piastri’s controlled victory in the 19-lap sprint race in the desert narrowed the gap slightly. Norris was only able to finish where he started, in third place, meaning he took six points to Piastri’s eight. But a win on Sunday would end things, as would second place if Piastri finishes fourth or lower.

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, is now 25 points behind Norris after his fourth-place finish in the sprint. The four-time world champion has to finish ahead of Norris on Sunday or he is out of it.

Basically, there is a lot riding on qualifying for the main race.

The sprint race was pretty straightforward in the end, with overtaking so difficult here and the risk-reward of going off track, with sharp gravel which could potentially cut the tyres, too great.

Norris got away well from third, pulling up alongside Mercedes’ George Russell off the line, only to find the door slammed in his face. The two cars very nearly made contact.

There followed a few laps in which Norris had to hold off a charging Verstappen, who was in his DRS slipstream having passed Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, and Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda. But once Norris had got a bit of separation, it was game over with everyone happy to keep position.

Now for the main event.

“Looking forward to it,” Norris said. “The Mercedes looks quick. George is doing a good job. So I don’t think we’re going to have it all our own way. But McLaren have once again given us a good car, as they have all season.”