Lando Norris admitted he did not have the “best weekend” in Qatar but insisted he was “still happy” with his title race advantage ahead of this weekend’s final race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi.
Norris missed out on his first chance to win his first drivers’ title at the Qatar Grand Prix, finishing third in the sprint and fourth in the full-length race at the Lusail International Circuit.
As a result, Norris has fallen behind his two remaining title rivals, heading into the final round with a 12-point lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and four points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
“There’s nothing we can do about this, obviously it’s not our best day and it’s not our best weekend,” Norris said after Sunday’s race.
“But I…I don’t know if anyone saw me get great results before.
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2025 Qatar GP Highlights
“I’ve put myself in this position and I’m still happy. Today wasn’t the best day, it wasn’t the best weekend in terms of driving and putting things together, but that’s life.
“Everyone has a bad weekend, so I take it on the chin and we all take it on the chin and think about what we can do next weekend.”
Norris was on the verge of winning the title after a string of great performances, including back-to-back wins in Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen scores an important victory in the lead-up to the three-way title decider at the end of the Qatar Grand Prix
However, at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, post-race inspection revealed that the wear limits for the planks had been exceeded, resulting in both McLarens being disqualified and missing out on a second-place finish.
Later in Qatar, Norris could have lost position after McLaren opted not to pit both cars under the early safety car conditions. Norris accepted the tactical decision, but it was not necessarily damaging overall, as it also cost teammate Piastri, who had started the race as his closest challenger, his chances of victory.
Asked whether McLaren should have put him under the safety car, Norris said: “Maybe they should have. But we both should have done it. So I would have been over either way because we would have been double stacked and potentially I would have lost time – I don’t think I would have lost a bit of time or maybe a position.”
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Karun Chandhok was on Skypad analyzing whether McLaren’s decision not to bring out Oscar Piastri in the safety car on lap seven cost them victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.
“That’s something we’ll go and talk about and consider, but you also have to have faith that the team is making the right decision, and that’s what I had to do.”
The Briton also made some mistakes of his own over the Qatar Sprint weekend, failing to maximize his performance in both qualifying sessions and being overtaken by Verstappen at the start of the race.
Norris insists the fear that Verstappen will challenge for the title in Abu Dhabi will not change his approach as he seeks a fifth successive drivers’ title.
“It’s the same every weekend,” he added.
“I try to beat them and they try to beat me. It doesn’t change anything.”
Thursday, December 4th
11am: Drivers press conference
2pm: Paddock uncut
Friday, December 5th
7am: F2 practice
9:00am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 1 (Session starts at 9:30am)*
10:55am: F2 Qualifying*
11.40am: Team boss press conference*
12:45pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 2 (Session starts at 1pm)*
2:15pm: F1 Show*
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A look back at some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Saturday, December 6th
10:15am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 3 (Session starts at 11:30am)*
12:10pm: F2 Sprint*
1:15pm: Abu Dhabi GP qualifying build-up*
2pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying*
4pm: Ted’s Qualification Notes*
Sunday, December 7th
9:10am: F2 Feature Race
11:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP Build-up*
1pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix*
3pm: Checkered flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction*
4pm: Ted’s Notes
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
