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

Lando Norris claimed pole for the Mexico City GP ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, with Oscar Piastri only seventh

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."