Lando Norris CRASHES in Saudi Arabia Grand Prix qualifying in major blow for McLaren star’s championship bid – as Max Verstappen takes pole

There is no hiding place under the lights of a desert night. And Lando Norris discovered that hard truth with a thud as he crashed out of a thrilling qualifying session in Jeddah.

His McLaren’s front left wheel was left dangling, but the car itself was less biffed one imagined than its driver’s fragile psyche. In contrast the weapons-grade steel called Max Verstappen sprung his latest raid by taking pole position.

As for Norris he called himself ‘clueless’ and a ‘muppet’ in Bahrain last week after making mistakes born of pressure. This time a ’f****** idiot,’ was his pithy self-reproach as he reported himself physically unharmed in the cockpit.

It was precisely what the Briton’s did not need. This track is fast and punishing. It is not a playground for mental recovery. And this setback was potentially scarring, not just condemning him to start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 10th, but raising more doubts over his championship mettle.

A minor consolation was that his McLaren team-mate and closest rival for the title, Oscar Piastri, does not start right at the front. He was one-hundredth of a second behind Verstappen, but still a relatively positive night for the Australian.

Norris’s contribution ended when he lost control through the chicane and travelled over the kerbs. He tried to wrestle his car back but there was no catching it, and he was sent into the left-hand wall. Turns 4 and 5 of the 27, and he was out of the reckoning at the start of Q3.

Lando Norris crashed out of Saudi Arabian qualifying in Q3 in a major blow to the Brit

Norris clipped the curb with his front right wheel (top right), impacting his control of the car

The World Championship leader crashed into the wall and his front left tyre came off

A red flag was waved and the crane summoned. His race engineer Will Jeffrey implored him not to worry. But he will. That is what he does.

He can still piece together a recovery race today, but this circuit is not a gift to overtaking. The intervention of a safety car (highly probable) or a dose of luck is likely to be required if he is not to end the race shorn of the championship lead. He is three points ahead of Piastri and eight in front of Verstappen.

Three times in four previous stagings of this race, the winner has come from pole. Twice Verstappen has triumphed here, once from fourth on the grid.

He was again imperious to defy the script that the McLarens would run away with the spoils.

They still hold the ace of having more pace over race distance, so it is thought. However, it will be Verstappen blazing into clean air if he makes it through the first turn in the lead.

McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has not given up hope of a Norris revival. ‘Just focus on the race,’ he said of their approach. ‘It will probably be a one-stop, but we can’t rule out a safety car.

‘He’ll certainly be faster than he qualified.’

George Russell took third for Mercedes, impressive again if ‘a little mixed’ in his own post-session verdict.

Max Verstappen (centre) took pole  ahead of Oscar Piastri (left) and George Russell (right)

Norris’ car was removed from the track so that the qualifying action could get back under way

As for Lewis Hamilton another bewilderingly bad evening. He was only seventh quickest, nine-tenths off the pace.

He has now been outqualified by Leclerc (fourth here) four-to-one this season, sprint qualifying in China excluded.

A decent evening for the boy who lit up the Corniche a year ago on his Ferrari debut, Oliver Bearman. He continued his fine form of this season for Haas, outperforming Esteban Ocon.

Now, Ocon may not have lived up to some naïve hype over his talents but he is clearly more experienced, yet he could only manage 19th while Bearman strolled into Q2 before ending up 15th on the grid.