Norris on Qatar sprint race pole ahead of Russell

McLaren’s Lando Norris took rod position for the sprint title astatine the Qatar Grand Prix up of Mercedes driver George Russell.

Norris pipped Russell by conscionable 0.063 seconds, pinch the 2nd McLaren of Oscar Piastri successful 3rd place.

Ferrari, who are competing pinch McLaren for the constructors’ championship, were 4th and fifth, Carlos Sainz 0.027secs faster than Charles Leclerc.

Newly crowned world champion Max Verstappen was only sixth, up of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Norris said: “It’s reliable because it’s truthful speedy astir here, it feels for illustration the quickest circuit of the year, the last assemblage feels for illustration you’re conscionable hanging on.

“Great qualifying, particularly to bounce backmost aft wherever we were successful Vegas past weekend.”

Norris’ hopes of beating Verstappen to the drivers’ title were yet extinguished successful Las Vegas connected a disappointing play for McLaren.

But they caput into the last 2 races of the play 25 points up of of Ferrari successful the constructors’ championship.

McLaren tin triumph the title the play - but only if they people the maximum points possible. That would require a one-two successful Saturday’s sprint, which starts astatine 14:00 UK time, to commencement the weekend.

“Our target is simply a one-two,” Norris said, "and maximise points for the constructors’ but not expecting an easy one.”

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