Lando Norris airs 'too difficult' concern ahead of first crack at F1 drivers' title

Lando Norris recognises his opening shot at the F1 drivers' title rests on qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix after labelling the track "too difficult" to overtake following a dire sprint race. 

Norris started and finished third at the end of 19 relatively tedious laps, with the only threat being when Max Verstappen was able to get within DRS range after making a superb start to launch himself up to fourth from sixth on the grid following the opening few turns.

Apart from one hopeful lunge, Verstappen, however, was unable to get close enough before Norris broke the tow, easing his way to a top-three finish behind race-winning team-mate Oscar Piastri, and Mercedes' George Russell.

The result means Norris is 22 points ahead of Piastri, and 25 clear of Verstappen, in the drivers' standings, with 50 up for grabs from the final two grands prix.

Norris will be champion if he finishes four points ahead of Piastri and is not outscored by Verstappen, rendering next weekend's Abu Dhabi GP meaningless.

Asked initially on Sky Sports F1 about the threat posed by Verstappen, Norris said: "I never saw him, actually. I just saw George ahead. I tried to go forward. We got pretty close at the start, but it was good. I didn't see what happened behind."

Turning his attention to the race, he added: "A long stint it felt like, a lot of pushing. It's going to be a tough race tomorrow, just not easy to pass around here. Too difficult, so all about qualifying."

Asked if he felt confident about qualifying, he replied: "Yeah.

"George was almost on pole. He's shown the Mercedes is quick, and he's doing a very, very good job, so it'll be close. I don't think it's going to be an easy one.

"But the team has given us a very good car again, as they have done this year, and it's been quick. It's a hell of a lap around here in qualifying. So I'm looking forward to it."