Mind games, frayed nerves, and a track littered with gravel—these elements defined the atmosphere at the Qatar Grand Prix, where Lando Norris faced yet another challenge. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri clinched the pole position in the sprint qualifying, proudly remarking, “It’s nice to be back.”

Every point is crucial now, with Piastri, who has been struggling to find his form, and Max Verstappen, who has been on a relentless streak, both trailing Norris by 24 points. With 58 points still up for grabs between this weekend and the season finale in Abu Dhabi next Sunday, the stakes are high.

Both Norris and Verstappen made errors, skidding through the gravel, and ended up securing third and sixth positions for the 25-lap sprint. In a surprising twist, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, outpaced him for the first time, qualifying in fifth place.

Norris had a shot at pole but veered off track at the last corner, enveloped by sand. Maintaining composure is critical as he aims to protect his championship lead amidst the pressures of this extended season.

Under the bright lights last night, Norris admitted to his mistake, candidly saying it was “my bad,” and suggested that overtaking George Russell of Mercedes might be his best opportunity moving forward.

Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Qatar’s sprint, which is worth eight points if he wins

Lando Norris was set for pole but went wide at the final corner in a worrying sign that he could not hold his nerve 

There are only eight points available in the sprint, so nothing will change decisively on the spot, though it will offer indications for GP proper, qualifying for which follows the appetiser.

As for the phoney war, Norris is eschewing mind games, claiming he does not want to act like a d***.

Let’s hope his pal Verstappen did not take offence because, in contrast, he was ready to weaponise his words. Asked if he would have clinched a fifth world title in the McLaren Norris is driving rather than his own machinery, the Dutchman declared: ‘We wouldn’t be talking about a championship (battle). It would already have been won, easily.

‘I mean they won the constructors’ championship so early you can fill it in yourself.’

Verstappen had been reluctant to be so strident when prompted by Dutch journalists earlier in the season to state his superiority. He did not know then he would be as close to Norris’s tail now.

Now is the perfect tactical moment to plant doubts in Norris’s bonce. The Englishman is a brilliant but sometimes brittle competitor. Verstappen’s only chink, usually, is occasional impetuosity.

You could detect a slight difference in their demeanours as they prepared for this weekend’s examination. Piastri had yet to step up at this stage, yet spoke confidently.

Norris was a little frayed as he conducted his British press interviews outside the McLaren hospitality area. Not rude, by any means, but sensitive to interrogation of how he might go about his Qatar challenge, such as whether he would go all out for the win or play the percentages.

Max Verstappen ramped up the mind games, claiming he would have already won the world championship if he was in Norris’ position, but made his own mistake in sprint qualifying 

‘Of course, I want to win,’ he said, his voice betraying frustration at the line of questioning.

Earlier he had said ‘nothing changes’ in his approach, but he was kidding himself. Psychologically, he was right to take this tack and try to pretend he was starting out as a carefree boy of seven at Clay Pigeon Raceway in Dorchester.

His task would be easier had the McLarens not been disqualified for running too thin a plank under their car by a hair’s breadth in Las Vegas last weekend.

Yet if Norris finishes on Sunday at the Lusail International Circuit having scored two more points than both Verstappen and Piastri he will be champion, the 11th Briton to have achieved the feat.

His father Adam, who funded his boy’s career, and mother Cisca have travelled over just in case. They are regular visitors, though neither is the most phlegmatic of observers. Little wonder.

Next door but one in the paddock, Verstappen still has nothing to lose, having galloped from 104 points off the top at the end of August to the cusp of a remarkable title triumph, and is hardened by experience at the sharp end of the championship fight.

His car may be the hindrance, if sprint qualifying is a true witness. Yet Verstappen highlighted what he hopes is a defining difference between himself and Norris, when he said: ‘Your dream is to win a championship and that is when the pressure is on.

‘It was the same for me when I was fighting for my first title. You definitely feel more pressure of being in that fight and thinking “this is my chance” and not knowing if you will get another one.

‘People can hide a lot. And I would if I was in his (Norris’) position. The pressure of getting it over the line is in the back of his mind.

Lewis Hamilton only qualified in 18th – another embarrassment which risks tainting his legacy

‘He is more affected by it when someone says something negative but every person is different. I don’t care. I am like “whatever, you can say what you want”.

‘When you have won four world championships already, it is amazing and I shouldn’t be in the fight really, but I am here.’

Norris is not an exponent of mind games. ‘If I want to act as people have done in the past it’s quite easy,’ he reasoned. ‘But I cannot talk to anyone and just act like a d***. But I don’t want to. That’s not me. I don’t enjoy doing that. That’s not how I want to win a championship.’

Another terrible day for Lewis Hamilton. Having qualified 20th of 20 in Las Vegas, he managed only 18th. As one wag observed this represented improvement. Of course, it is embarrassing.

The seven-times world champion was four-tenths slower than his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and nine-tenths off Verstappen in Q1. Leclerc qualified ninth.

‘Ah, man, the car won’t go any quicker,’ lamented Hamilton.

Speaking later, he was asked: Was the car tricky to drive?

Hamilton: ‘Same as always.’

Questioner: ‘Anything positive to take into tomorrow?’

Hamilton. ‘The weather’s nice.’

These wretched performances, best watched from behind the sofa, can’t go on much longer without serious reputational damage to a legend, the last Briton to wear the crown Norris craves.