Lando Norris fires dig at Ferrari while sat between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc | F1 | Sport

Lando Norris fired a brutal joke at Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc while sitting between the Ferrari duo in the post-qualifying press conference on Saturday night, describing his rivals as ‘pros’ at lifting and coasting during Grands Prix.

Norris turned in arguably the best qualifying lap of his Formula One career at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday, cruising to pole position by a comfortable margin. At the same time, team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri struggled down in eighth place. The Australian will at least gain one position, though, thanks to Carlos Sainz’s grid penalty.

However, rather than the familiar sight of Max Verstappen alongside him, it will be Leclerc, with Ferrari team-mate Hamilton tucked in behind in third place. With the long run from the grid down to Turn One in Mexico City, it is likely that a red car will be leading the race at the end of lap one, but the Prancing Horse will also have to deal with a recurring issue.

In the post-qualifying press conference, the top three were asked if they were worried about lift and coast demands on Sunday. Poking fun at his rivals, Norris replied: “Ask these guys, they’re pros at it… these guys, they do it every race. You always have to do it a little bit, but never as much as these guys.”

With a wry smile, Leclerc added: “Yeah… let’s say, I think we are ready for this. It’s always a track where lift and coast is a big part of the race, especially for the people from second onwards. 

“That’s why I think the start is so important on a track like this, because when you have free air, everything comes a lot easier. So yeah, we’ll be quite aggressive into Turn One if I have the possibility and then manage from where we are. But it’s definitely going to be a big part of the race.”

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Norris now has a huge opportunity to move into pole position for the Drivers’ Championship title. With his two main rivals starting fifth and seventh, respectively, the 25-year-old would lead the standings with four races remaining if all cars finish as they start.

However, he expects both Piastri and Verstappen to move forward from their grid slots. Well, “I think you’re talking about two of – along with these guys here – two of the best drivers on the grid,” he explained after scoring pole position. “So I don’t think you can ever put it past them to come back through. 

“From my side, our race pace has always been very strong this season, so I’m still expecting Oscar to come back through and race well. He normally does. So, let’s see. That is my expectation. And same with Max. When has he ever not been on the attack and come forward? Hopefully, I can just stay ahead on lap one, and then these guys can hold everyone else up for me.”