‘F***ing idiot’: McLaren drama turns F1 grid on its head

There has been high drama between Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as one driver showed left commentators stunned.

It all seems to be slipping through Lando Norris’ fingers and the world championship leader is beginning to look like the third wheel.

That’s the verdict many are taking away from qualifying at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the British driver crashed out in Q3, leaving him to start on the fifth row of the grid for Monday morning’s race.

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His struggles came as world champ Max Verstappen scorched around the circuit in Jeddah to take pole ahead of Oscar Piastri by just 0.01 seconds.

The Australian has been in red hot form after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, while his McLaren teammate has suddenly shown public signs he is struggling.

Norris has not shied away from showing his real emotions in recent weeks — and he was an open book when speaking on his team radio after crashing into the wall at Turn 4, causing the session to be green flagged.

Piastri had been on provisional pole at the time of the crash.

Norris was asked by his team engineer if he was OK immediately after the crash. The 25-year-old responded: “I’m OK”.

He followed that comment up by saying “f***ing idiot”.

Oscar Piastri showed Lando Norris some support after the crash. Photo: X and @F1.

Norris was consoled by teammate Piastri as he conducted his post-qualifying media interviews.

It didn’t seem to change Norris’ mood.

The Brit was asked about his self appraisal after the race and said: “Well, yeah, I agree with it.”

He went on to tell motorsport.com: “I should be fighting for pole and especially on a [first fast] lap, I shouldn’t be taking any silly risks like I seem to have done. I need to go and review it all, like I said. You know, not a guarantee we would have been on pole, because Max looks like he did a good job.

“I mean, Red Bull were quick the whole of qualifying, it wasn’t a surprise. So, it would have been nice just to be in that fight. I was doing well until then and feeling comfortable.

“But I mean, it makes sense, I shunted, you know. Again, I’m not going to be proud, I’m not going to be happy. I’ve let myself down, I’ve let the team down and the guys have got a big job to do now to fix it all.

“So, yeah, it’s the way it is. I agree with what I said, but I still look forward to tomorrow and have to try and make up for today.”

Norris has looked frustrated ever since he only managed to qualify sixth-fastest for last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

In the rival Red Bull garage, Verstappen’s feelings have gone from sour to jubilant in the space of a few days.

Verstappen said his Red Bull car had “come alive” after he nailed pole.

And doesn’t he look ecstatic to be on pole. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

The four-time world champion was in irrepressible form under the floodlights on the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit, grabbing the front of the grid with a 1min 27.294sec lap, one hundredth of a second quicker than Piastri.

It was a huge turnaround for the Dutchman after he and his Red Bull team had struggled in Bahrain last weekend.

“Oh my god, guys. Simply lovely! I definitely didn’t expect to be on pole here,” said a beaming Verstappen.

“The car came alive in the night, we made some final changes and it was more enjoyable to drive, the grip was coming to me.

“I think tomorrow in the race, it will be tough to keep them (McLaren) behind, but we’ll give it a good go.”

Norris leads the drivers’ standings by three points from Piastri with Verstappen five points back ahead of this fifth round of the 24-race season.

Lando Norris' car is carried out of the track after crashing. AP Photo/Altaf Qadri.

George Russell will set off on the second row in his Mercedes alongside the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

McLaren are seeking their fourth win from five on Sunday, after Norris took the season-opener in Melbourne with Piastri clicking in China and Sakhir.

Piastri said despite Verstappen’s masterful performance there was “all to play for” in the race.

“I think Max has done a good job,” said the Australian.

“It’s another high-speed circuit for (Red Bull), where they seem to be having a little bit more success - but a good job again.

“I think our pace is good. It’s going to be a tough race.” Qualifying got underway after the sun had dipped over the Red Sea, mercifully ushering in cooler night conditions for the drivers.

Grid for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Front row Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren)

2nd row George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)

3rd row Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams)

4th row Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Red Bull)

5th row Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)

6th row Alex Albon (THA/Williams) Liam Lawson (NZL/RB)

7th row Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin Isack Hadjar (FRA/RB)

8th row Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas) Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)

9th row Jack Doohan (AUS/Alpine) Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber)

10th row Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas) Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber)