P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris has set his sights on a trip to the top step of the podium as he starts from third on the grid.
Lando Norris warned that McLaren may not have an easy path to victory in Qatar despite their strong showing in the sprint race. The team secured a one-two finish in the sprint race with Norris giving up the win to teammate Oscar Piastri in a payback move for Brazil. McLaren couldn’t challenge for the front row in the Qatar Grand Prix, with George Russell and Max Verstappen setting the fastest times. Norris and Piastri will start in third and fourth, aiming to secure McLaren’s first constructors’ championship in 26 years. Norris admitted that their pace in the sprint race might have been influenced by being in clear air, and he doesn’t expect anything extraordinary in the main race. He acknowledged that Mercedes has been faster this weekend and anticipates a tough battle ahead, hoping to compete for the top spot but acknowledging the challenge posed by his rivals.
