Lando Norris sounded like a champion with his message to Oscar Piastri after Qatar Grand Prix qualifying

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Oscar Piastri beat his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to pole position for the 2025 F1 Qatar Grand Prix by 0.108 seconds, with a new all-time lap record for the Lusail circuit.

The Australian even beat the lap record for the Lusail International Circuit that he had set on Friday to clinch pole for the F1 Sprint in Qatar. Piastri converted pole to win the Qatar Sprint, too, as he dictated Saturday’s 100km dash unrivalled by George Russell in P2 or Norris in P3.

Victory in the final Sprint of the 2025 F1 season also ensured that Piastri took two points out of Norris’ lead atop the F1 drivers’ championship. The Briton now leads his papaya pal by 22 points, with 50 remaining across Sunday’s Qatar GP and next week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris can win the 2025 F1 drivers’ title in the Qatar GP if he finishes the race with a lead of at least 26 points over Piastri and Red Bull star Max Verstappen, who now trails the 26-year-old by 25 points. Verstappen finished the Sprint in P4, and he will start the Qatar GP from P3.

Lando Norris made no excuses for Oscar Piastri beating him to pole for the 2025 Qatar GP

Norris held provisional pole for the Qatar GP with a 1:19.495 lap, ahead of Piastri in P2 and Verstappen in P3. But the Briton could not improve his effort, while Piastri stole pole with a 1:19.387. Norris aborted his last Q3 lap to avoid going off track after drifting wide at Turn 2.

READ MORE: Everything to know about the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, including past winners

But Norris made no excuses for his mistake costing him a chance to score pole, while Piastri beat him at the end to lead the Qatar GP grid on Sunday. The Bristol-born pilot immediately held his hands up and accepted his error, while also praising Piastri for delivering a great lap.

Norris said during the post-qualifying parc ferme interview: “I don’t know. I just got a bit of understeer and was going to go off, so I had to abort, which is a shame. But it’s the way it is.

“Oscar did a good lap and drove very well, and has been driving well all weekend. So, yeah, nothing to complain about. I just didn’t do the lap and, yeah, still P2 for tomorrow.”

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“You never know,” Norris added. “The first couple of laps are opportunities for everyone. But after that, I think it’ll be pretty straightforward for everyone.

“Not yet, no [I haven’t thought about how to attack Lap 1]. I just did qualifying, so tonight we’ll review some things and see what I can do better than I did this morning.

“But, otherwise, I think we’re in a good position. The car has been feeling good. I was much happier today than yesterday, so progress. But it’s a long race tomorrow.”

Lando Norris avoided making the same mistake following his Sprint Qualifying off in Qatar

Norris sounded like an F1 champion in waiting after qualifying for the Qatar GP this Saturday by immediately holding his hands up and conceding that it was his mistake, and his mistake alone, that denied the Briton his last chance to rival Piastri for pole around the Lusail circuit.

The 16-time career F1 polesitter tried to brake a little bit latter for Turn 2 than he had during his provisional run to improve the benchmark time in Q3. But Norris’ tactic meant he carried too much speed, which carried him off the racing line and onto the dirtier part of the track.

Norris ultimately opted to abort his run to avoid damaging the floor on his McLaren MCL39, like he did during Sprint Qualifying on Friday. The Briton hit the gravel trap at the exit of the final corner during SQ3, which meant he lost time during Sprint Qualifying and in the Sprint.