Lando Norris cut a deflated figure on Friday after qualifying only third for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint, watching McLaren team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri grab pole on a night that tightened the championship story even further.
The Briton, who holds a 24-point lead over Piastri and Max Verstappen, admitted that securing the title this weekend now looks unlikely with overtaking expected to be almost impossible.
Norris blamed a messy session, including a scruffy final corner and a tussle with Alex Albon, for costing him a shot at repeating his sprint pole heroics from São Paulo.
He said the best he can realistically target is beating George Russell off the line, though he insists he won’t back off from trying to win, with eight sprint points up for grabs.
Piastri, meanwhile, looked revitalised. After seven races without a win and watching a 30-point lead turn into a 24-point deficit, the Australian finally felt everything click.
He overcame a wild moment on his lap to secure pole and praised McLaren for delivering a strong car all weekend.
While Norris wrestles with frustration, Piastri heads into Saturday with renewed confidence and a clear chance to cut further into the championship gap.