Norris grabs Mexico pole despite sleepless night

McLaren driver admits surprise at stunning qualifying performance as Piastri struggles to seventh while championship battle intensifies ahead of Sunday's race

Lando Norris will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position after a commanding qualifying display.

The McLaren driver outpaced Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton to claim his first pole since a considerable dry spell.

The Briton's performance comes at a crucial moment in the championship fight.

His teammate Oscar Piastri, currently leading the drivers' standings, could only manage seventh on the grid.

Unexpected pace surprises Norris

Norris expressed genuine shock at his qualifying performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The final flying lap delivered a time that exceeded even his own expectations.

"The lap was one of those where you don't really know what happened,"

Norris explained.

"It felt decent but when I saw the time I was very pleasantly surprised."

The 24-year-old revealed an unusual factor potentially contributing to his form. When asked about his preparation, Norris joked about his recent struggles with rest.

"I've not been sleeping well lately, so maybe that's the key to it all,"

he said with a smile.

Strong weekend performance continues

Despite his sleep issues, Norris has shown consistent pace throughout the Mexico weekend.

His confidence grew as the sessions progressed, particularly on Saturday.

"I've been feeling good all weekend, especially today,"

he said.

"I got a little bit nervous of the Ferrari at the end, but I pulled it out when it mattered and I'm very happy."

His previous success at this circuit provides additional confidence. Norris has demonstrated strong race craft here in previous seasons, making him optimistic about Sunday's prospects.

Turn 1 challenge looms large

The long run down to the first corner presents a significant challenge for any pole sitter in Mexico.

Norris acknowledges the pressure he'll face from the lights going out.

"I know I'm going to have some quick guys behind me,"

he noted.

"It's a long run down to Turn 1 and so forth."

Ferrari's race pace adds another dimension to his concerns. The Italian team typically shows strong speed over longer stints at this venue.

"The race pace from the Ferraris is normally very strong,"

Norris admitted.

"I'm expecting a battle, I'm not expecting it to be easy."

Championship implications mounting

George Russell secured fourth position for Mercedes, while Max Verstappen starts from the third row.

The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult weekend, struggling to find optimal performance.

Piastri's seventh-place grid slot complicates McLaren's championship strategy. The Australian will need a strong recovery drive to maintain his points advantage.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve praised Norris's qualifying execution on Sky Sports F1.

The Canadian highlighted the precision and control demonstrated throughout the decisive lap.

"It was a beautiful, controlled lap. The car never moved,"

Villeneuve observed.

"He knew exactly where he wanted to put the car."

Villeneuve believes Norris holds the advantage for race day. His analysis suggests the McLaren driver possesses superior pace for the longer runs.

"He also knows he has the best pace for the race,"

Villeneuve added.

"All he has to do is survive that first corner."

Norris remains focused on executing his own race rather than worrying about competitors.

His approach emphasizes controlling the controllable elements within his reach.

"I'll focus on what I can control. That's all I can do,"

he stated. Despite acknowledging the challenge ahead, his confidence remains unshaken about the potential outcome.

"Eyes forward and I'll see how much I can win by."