Norris takes Austria pole with sensational lap

Austrian Grand Prix

Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg Dates: 29 June Race start: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app

Lando Norris put in a sensational performance to take pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix by more than 0.5 seconds on one of the shortest laps of the year.

Norris beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.521 seconds, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, a further 0.062secs behind.

Lewis Hamilton put the second Ferrari fourth, 0.090secs slower than his team-mate, and Mercedes' George Russell fifth.

Norris said: "It was a good lap, that's for sure. My Q3 run one was good but I knew there were a few places where if I just got it right I could make up quite a bit more time and I did that."

This outstanding lap was exactly what Norris needed as he arrived in Austria 22 points behind Piastri in the championship after crashing out of the previous race in Canada as a result of running into the back of his team-mate.

Norris said: "Qualifying has been some of my tough moments so to put in a lap like this is pleasing for myself.

"It's a long race tomorrow and a long season. I want to prove it myself over and over again and this is just the beginning of it."

Leclerc's performance was only the second time Ferrari have been on the front row this season, after he also managed second in Monaco.

And it comes after the introduction of a new floor on the Ferrari which they hope will move their season forward after a difficult start.

Leclerc said: "I am very pleased. Monaco was the last time we started on the front row and it has been a difficult season.

"We brought some new parts this weekend, which for sure have made a difference. I am very happy with the lap. We know we have a better car in the race normal than in qualifying so I hope we can put a bit more pressure on the McLarens in the race.

"He must have done an incredible lap. I have not seen it yet but I will definitely look at it, but tomorrow we will try to bring him a tough time."

Piastri, who had been 0.286secs slower than Norris on their first laps, said he had not been able even to start his final lap as he was running behind Alpine's Pierre Gasly when the Frenchman had a double spin at the final corner.

"Lando has been very quick all weekend so it would have been tough to beat him but I definitely had the speed to be on the front row. Just a tough day."