Norris explains ‘difficult’ element to Singapore pole run

Lando Norris has stated he found it “difficult” to progress his speed through qualifying after taking pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Norris bested Max Verstappen to the top spot in Singapore by two-tenths of a second after a last-lap shootout around the Marina Bay Circuit.

It marked the McLaren driver's sixth career pole position and his fifth of the current season.

Norris insisted he was struggling to gain confidence around the lap during the session before producing a lap good enough for pole. 

“It was tough, especially through qualifying, I was finding it a little difficult to progress much and to get a lot of lap time,” he said.

“All the guys around seemed to get quicker and quicker, so it put me under a little bit more pressure and especially with just one lap at the end.

“But it was good enough for pole, and I'm happy with that, especially here in Singapore.

“So it's a good feeling. I felt good all weekend. I felt confident, maybe not so much in quali, but we got the job done.”

Norris is looking to close down a 59-point gap on Max Verstappen, who will start in second place on Sunday.

The Briton is aiming to capture his third win of the season following his strong pole position lap, insisting he held confidence that the car would perform.

“I had faith that we would be quick, so I didn't have to over-push and I could just do what I've been doing the whole weekend,” he said.

“That's a nice feeling that I didn't have to kind of go over and beyond. But it's tricky, the car is moving around, and it's bumpy. 

“It's easy to break one metre too late, all of a sudden. So you pay the price for overdriving and over-pushing. But I kept it cool and I did what I had to do.”