Saudi Arabian GP: Lando Norris pessimistic of podium chances after qualifying crash

McLaren showed extremely strong race pace during the practice sessions in Jeddah but Norris said he was “going to need a bit of luck” in the grand prix.

He said that to “get close” to Verstappen, Piastri and Norris was “not very realistic”.

“It’s almost impossible to overtake around here, so I’m not expecting anything magical,” Norris said.

“But we have a good car, so if we can work our way up to the top five, six, I will say I’ll be happy.”

Norris lost control on the exit of Turn Four, his car sliding on to the kerb at Turn Five and flicking into the wall on the exit.

He swore and called himself an “idiot” over the radio to his team in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

“Makes sense,” he later said of his frustration in the car. “I agree with it. I should be fighting for pole and, especially on a Q1 lap, not taking any silly risks like I seem to have done.

“We will review it but it’s not a guarantee we would have been on pole, because Red Bull were quick the whole qualifying.

“It would have been nice to be in that fight. I was doing well until then and feeling comfortable. I shunted, so I am not going to be proud, I’m not going to be happy, I’ve let myself and the team down and the guys have a big job to do to fix it.”

Verstappen, eight points behind Norris in the championship, said he was surprised to have been in the fight for pole after a difficult time through the practice sessions, adding that until taking pole he had been “not very confident” for the race.

“My long runs weren’t particularly great compared to Oscar or Lando,” he said. “Naturally, with how the car was reacting today, it will be a bit better. But I don’t think it’ll be enough to be super competitive.

“But the car definitely took a bit of a step forward compared to what we were testing yesterday. So I hope that will help our tyre life out as well, but difficult to say that gives an opportunity to fight.”