While the spotlight is on Formula 1 Title Contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, that did not stop Lando Norris from trying to steal it from them during qualifying for the 2021 Formula 1 season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, the McLaren driver is also adamant he does not want to be a factor in the intense title duel between Hamilton and Verstappen who start in on the front row, in front of Norris.
While Mercedes and Red Bull unleashed all the firepower they had for their respective drivers, it would have been almost impossible for McLaren to out-qualify the pair, and in fact showed pace that surprised its driver.
Norris gave it his best shot, finding the kind of form he enjoyed earlier in the season, as again he was Best of the Rest and also demolished his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in the process.
Norris: I’ll do my best and if I get a chance I’ll go for it
This is what the 22-year-old had to say after his evening's work: "I went for pole, didn’t quite work out. It was a nice lap. To be in P3 was a bit of a surprise.
Norris, whose McLaren is powered by Mercedes, is mindful of the title-deciding fight for which he has the best seats in the house: "I’m a bit nervous.
"I want to stay where I am and just watch everything unfold over the first few laps or even the whole race, but I also don’t want really to get involved too much because it can cause a lot of controversy.
"I’ll do my best and if I get a chance I’ll go for it," added the Englishman, who will want to be well placed should the feuding contenders ahead of him on the grid come to grief.
A maiden win is not that unthinkable for Norris, who will make his 60th F1 start at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.
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