Norris believes “time will come” after missing out on Abu Dhabi pole

Written by Maham Mir

After missing out on pole to his championship rival Max Verstappen by 0.201s, Lando Norris believes that “the time will come” to decide between the race win or the championship title in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris, who topped Friday’s practice sessions and was P2 in FP3, was unable to replicate his rapid pace during qualifying and was forced to settle for P2. Speaking immediately after qualifying, Norris stated that he was “disappointed not to be on pole”.

However, despite his disappointment to start behind rival Verstappen, Norris will start Sunday's Grand Prix ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri as the Australian could only manage P3. As it currently stands, Norris’ 12 point lead in the standings is exactly the buffer needed considering the small margins between the top teams. 

Speaking on the gap between himself and Verstappen, Norris identified: “we just weren’t fast enough today” compared to the speed of the Red Bull over a single lap. Verstappen’s final two timed laps in Q3 would have been enough for pole position and none of the laps set by either McLaren driver was able to challenge the reigning world champion.

Although a finish on any step of the podium, even with a Verstappen or Piastri win, would be enough to secure Norris’ maiden World Drivers’ Championship title, Norris outlined that he “still want[s] to win”. 

He further added: “we didn’t win the [Drivers’] Championship last year, but it was just nice to end with a win. That’s what I would like to do tomorrow, in either our cases. I feel good, and we’ll go in and do everything the same as normal.”

The Briton is no stranger to driving under pressure around the Yas Marina Circuit as he won last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with McLaren’s World Constructors’ Championship on the line. On that occasion, Norris converted his pole position into a race win with ease ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Norris, who has always made clear how much he wants to bring McLaren back to the top of the sport, has a chance to be the team’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Only 58 laps of racing in the desert stand between Norris and his maiden Formula One title and only time will tell if he has what it takes to cross the line ahead of the rest.