Norris does not expect to "get to the top" at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Having described himself as an "idiot" over the team radio after his heavy shunt in the final qualifying segment, Lando Norris hopes that he will be able to make up places at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Following their strong performance during Friday's practice sessions, McLaren were once again quick in the third and final practie which meant that the papaya team went into qualifying as favourites.

Despite making it to Q3 with ease, Lando Norris suffered a high-speed crash on his first flying lap as he carried too much speed into Turn 4, hitting the kerb which in turn sent him into the wall and out of the session.

His team-mate Oscar Piastri also looked strong, but Red Bull and Mercedes unexpectedly closed in on the Woking-based outfit for the dying stages of qualifying, and reigning champion managed to beat the Melbourne-born driver, who wound up second, 0.010s off pole.

Commenting on his qualifying at Jeddah, Norris explained: "[The team] have got a lot of work to do sadly. It’s been such a smooth, positive weekend so far, so we’re disappointed to have such a big setback but I’ve got to take it on the chin.

"I apologised to the team, to my mechanics and the engineers and try and go again tomorrow. The car's quick, the car's been good all weekend so [I] have to think hard to overtake the cars tomorrow.”

When asked whether he can storm through the field in the race, Norris said: “I think a good amount but as Oscar showed we’re not head and shoulders above the rest.

“George [Russell] is only a tenth off and Max [Verstappen] is on pole so I don’t expect to get to the top few but there’s definitely a few cars ahead that we need to finish ahead of so if we can aim for a top five or something then I’ll be happy.”