Sun Apr 20 17:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Norris Faces Up Hill Battle After Qualifying Crash in Jeddah

**Jeddah, Saudi Arabia** – Lando Norris will start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 10th position after crashing during qualifying, leaving him with a challenging task to recover. The McLaren driver, currently leading the drivers’ championship by three points over teammate Oscar Piastri, admitted overtaking on the Jeddah track is notoriously difficult.

Norris lost control of his McLaren on the exit of Turn Four, impacting the wall at Turn Five. He attributed the crash to his pushing the car too hard, exceeding its limits and causing an unexpected understeer. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella suggested the crash was related to recent car modifications aimed at improving speed, but which may have compromised predictability at the limit.

Despite the setback, Norris remains optimistic, stating that if he can reach the top five or six, he’ll be satisfied. He acknowledged that closing the gap to pole-sitter Max Verstappen, and even second-placed Oscar Piastri and third-placed George Russell, is unrealistic given the track’s overtaking challenges. Verstappen, meanwhile, expressed surprise at his pole position after struggling during practice sessions.

The race promises excitement, with several drivers and teams anticipating strategic battles, particularly regarding tire choice and the use of DRS zones. Piastri and Russell believe McLaren still holds a significant pace advantage, setting the stage for an intense competition. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix starts at 18:00 BST and will be covered live on BBC 5 Sports Extra and via live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

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