Lando Norris wary of major Imola risks ahead of 'impossible' challenge

Lando Norris says he is wary of fighting drivers "who take a lot of risks" as he looks to make up for a poor Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying.

The McLaren driver will be only fourth on the grid at Imola after a poor second Q3 lap, allowed George Russell to overhaul him, with Norris well behind the front-row of team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. 

It is the third time in the last four races Norris has been outside the top three on the grid, with the Briton 16 points behind Piastri in the standings, as the Australian hunts a fourth straight grand prix win. 

Imola is renowned as a track where overtaking is difficult, with Norris sure he could be in for an "impossible challenge."

"It is going to be tricky, overtaking is naturally going to be quite impossible," Norris reflected to media, including RacingNews365. 

"I just have to hope the tyres die quickly, and I think we can do better as a team than others, and maybe that will open my chances to do overcuts or undercuts on the guys ahead, but we've not done many long runs. 

"We've not used the hard tyre yet, so there are many unanswered questions, but of course I will try and race my way back. 

"It will be a one-stop, maybe two-stop, but the start is my biggest opportunity, but to get past more than one person off the line here is not very easy, it is very narrow.

"I'm racing with drivers who take a lot of risks, and it is a long season, so I've got to balance my way through it."