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Lando Norris shocked by stunning Mexico GP pole: "I've not been sleeping well"

Lando Norris qualified on pole position for the Mexico Grand Prix while his team-mate and current drivers' championship leader Oscar Piastri will start as far back as seventh. After delivering a decisive final lap at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Norris is happy to be leading Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Talking after a comfortable session for the driver, the Briton was surprised by his pace.

"I'm happy to be back on pole. It's actually been quite a long time, so it's a good feeling.

"The lap was one of those where you don't really know what happened. It felt decent but when I saw the time I was very pleasantly surprised.

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

With a smile, he added: "I've not been sleeping well lately, so maybe that's the key to it all?"

Despite his apparent lack of sleep, he is confident going into Sunday's race.

"I've had some good races here in the past and will focus on what I can control. That's all I can do."

The front row puts Norris in the best position to convert his qualifying pace into a win, but the long run to Turn 1 will put him under pressure.

"I'm here to win.

"I'll be looking forward. I know I'm going to have some quick guys behind me.

"It's a long run down to Turn 1 and so forth. The race pace from the Ferraris is normally very strong.

"I'm expecting a battle, I'm not expecting it to be easy. Eyes forward and I'll see how much I can win by."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images)

George Russell lines up in fourth place, with the new championship favourite Max Verstappen starting on the third row amid a difficult weekend so far for the Dutchman. 

Jacques Villeneuve, talking on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast, was very complimentary about the lap.

"It was a beautiful, controlled lap. The car never moved," he said. "He knew exactly where he wanted to put the car. He did everything he wanted.

"He also knows he has the best pace for the race. All he has to do is survive that first corner."

Photos from Mexican GP - Practice & Qualifying

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fans

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

James Vowles, Williams

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fans

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Fans

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Saturday, in photos

Formula 1
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