Norris delivers harsh McLaren reality after disappointing qualifying result

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after qualifying, the Briton was asked for a health status update. He said: "I'm better today. Yesterday I struggled a bit. It hit me pretty quickly. I'm probably not optimal but no excuses for today."

He was then asked where McLaren’s pace has gone and he delivered a worrying verdict. He added: "Others have improved. Mercedes have done a good job. Red Bull have been good the last two weekends. Nothing is a surprise.

"Mercedes is always the team that comes out on top like in Las Vegas last year. I think we understand when you put two and two together, why we struggled."

Analysing the car’s weaknesses over the weekend, Norris said: "The front of the car is not strong enough, too much understeer so you have to make compromises. Today makes you feel like no matter who you are fighting, it just feels disappointing that we are not quick enough."

During his final push at the last chicane, Max Verstappen ran into the dirty air coming off Norris’s car ahead, causing a lock-up that forced him to abandon the lap.

As Norris returned to the pits, Verstappen pulled up alongside him and gave a visible thumbs-down, making his frustration clear- a sentiment he later repeated in the post-qualifying interviews.

A gesture that didn’t sit well with Helmut Marko either, who didn’t hold back in his comments towards the McLaren driver. Red Bull Racing's team principal also weighed in on the incident. You can read his comments here.