Lando Norris was made to rue a "mistake" after the Formula One championship leader was forced to settle for P3 in qualifying for Saturday's Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race.

The Briton, who is 24 points clear at the top of the drivers' championship standings, finished third behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and George Russell on Friday.

Norris can wrap up the title during Sunday's grand prix, should he gain two points on both Piastri and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

However, he was unable to make it back-to-back sprint poles, having finished top of the qualifying grid for the last one in Sao Paulo.

"I think the pace was there, I just made a mistake in the last corner on my second lap and didn't put it together," he said.

"[It'll be] stupid to not try and win [on Saturday]. I'm here to try and win, so I'll see what I can find overnight and see what we can do for tomorrow.

"It's impossible to overtake, so I think I'm probably going to finish P3. But if I can at least get George [Russell] off the line or something, then that's probably the most I can hope for."

Lando gave it everything in a bid to snatch #F1Sprint pole#F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/UiaEiA82Ma

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 28, 2025

Verstappen will start Saturday's sprint in sixth place, as he aims to keep his hopes of a fifth straight world championship triumph alive this weekend.

F1 are set to introduce new regulations next year, focusing on energy management, with 50% of cars electric and 50% powered by sustainable fuels.

But the four-time world champion hinted his future in the sport may be in doubt if the changes are "not fun".

"My contract runs until 2028, but it [his future] will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun," Verstappen told PA. "If they are not fun, than I don't really see myself hanging around.

"Winning seven titles is not on my mind. I know that there are three more years after this one, so it could be possible, but it is not something I need to do before I leave the sport. I can leave the sport easily tomorrow.

"I have a lot of other passions; other racing categories, I want to spend more time with the family, and live off my own schedule. In my mind, I know if I close the chapter, it is closed. I don't see myself stopping and coming back. Once I stop, I really stop."

#F1SPRINT STARTING GRID

A crucial battle in the drivers' championship awaits#F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/FDZWh5n6Yi

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 28, 2025

Qatar Grand Prix Sprint qualifying top 10

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
5. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
8. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
9. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
10. Alex Albon (Williams)