Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Motorsport

“I make life tough on myself” - Lando Norris bluntly owns up to Jeddah setback

Lando Norris Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Oscar Piastri F1 Max Verstappen McLaren Red Bull

Lando Norris admits he is making hard work of his F1 title challenge.

After starting the season as the favourite to win the championship, and his victory in the Australian GP, Norris has slipped behind his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the pecking order.

Piastri has now taken two back-to-back wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to move to the top of the table and got 10 points clear of Norris.

Norris finished fourth in the Saudi Arabian GP after crashing out during qualifying to start in 10th place on the grid. The error meant he was always unable to fight Piastri for the win, and he says he needs to start cutting out the mistakes.

The Briton commented: “It's the best we could have done today. Of course, a shame to miss out on a podium.

“I make life tough for myself, especially when it's a race like that, it would have been a much easier, a lot more chilled just to drive out the front.

“I got to help myself out a little bit and have better Saturdays.”

Lando Norris, McLaren (Photo by: Lars Baron)

Norris has also hit back at suggestions that his McLaren holds a superior pace advantage over the rest of the field, claiming that Max Verstappen’s Red Bull is just as fast in race trim.

He added: “Red Bull are just as quick in qualifying. They're just as quick as us in the race.

“Just because we're quick in practice, people just keep coming up with all this this crap.

“We don't believe we're much ahead as it shows. I think probably Max was the quickest out there today, so we have work to do.

“People keep saying that we're the best, we're the quickest, blah blah blah, but it's just because we show a bit more pace in practice.

“We don't have anything left when he gets to qualifying, but that's our way of doing things. That's how we feel we optimise things. If we didn't do it that way, we'll be even further back.

“I'm happy with the work we're doing, people just need to recalibrate that. We have a great car and I'm probably the quickest on average but clearly not enough.”

Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Race

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexandra Saint Mleux

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF with Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Flavio Briatore, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Angela Cullen, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Sunday

Formula 1

67

In this article

Ben Hunt

Formula 1

Lando Norris

McLaren

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could be jailed for life under new law in England and Wales

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could be jailed for life under new law in England and Wales

Reckless cycling is currently prosecuted under legislation from the 1860s, with a maximum two-year jail sentence

The Guardian - UK

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan's warning to India comes after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir

Evening Standard

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Oklahoma City stormed back from down 29 points to beat Memphis in Game 3 of their playoff series.

Sports Illustrated

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

Boy, 15, arrested after at least one child killed and three injured at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in Nantes

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

Both sides say they have resolved to end conflict through peaceful means after ‘frank’ talks facilitated by Qatar

The Guardian - UK

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco has moved closer to adopting a “recovery first” drug policy that sets abstinence from illicit drugs as its primary goal

The Independent UK

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could be jailed for life under new law in England and Wales

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could be jailed for life under new law in England and Wales

Reckless cycling is currently prosecuted under legislation from the 1860s, with a maximum two-year jail sentence

The Guardian - UK

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan's warning to India comes after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir

Evening Standard

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Oklahoma City stormed back from down 29 points to beat Memphis in Game 3 of their playoff series.

Sports Illustrated

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

Boy, 15, arrested after at least one child killed and three injured at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in Nantes

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

Both sides say they have resolved to end conflict through peaceful means after ‘frank’ talks facilitated by Qatar

The Guardian - UK

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco has moved closer to adopting a “recovery first” drug policy that sets abstinence from illicit drugs as its primary goal

The Independent UK

Our Picks

Walton Goggins to host SNL following controversial sketch mocking White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood

The skit aired on April 12, with comedian Sarah Sherman impersonating Wood’s character Chelsea

Evening Standard

Netflix has finally revealed the title of Stranger Things' animated spin-off – and we're already gearing ourselves up to face the Mind Flayer again

Day trip to the Starcourt Mall, anyone?

Giant 'sea dragon' fossil could be largest mosasaur ever discovered in Mississippi

Researchers may have discovered Mississippi's largest ever mosasaur after pulling a Cretaceous-aged fossil out of a riverbed south of Starkville.

Sharon Osbourne's fans disappointed as entire talk show tour cancelled at last minute

Sharon Osbourne has unexpectedly pulled the plug on her entire talk show tour, just hours before she was due to kick off the first show in Stockholm.

The Fashion Central

David Harbour once thought his fan favorite Stranger Things character Hopper should've died in season 1

David Harbour didn't think Hopper should survive season 1

Demi Moore recalls feeling 'terrified' by General Hospital role

Demi Moore has highlighted being cast in 'General Hospital' as a turning point in her career.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play