Lando Norris admission speaks volumes as Max Verstappen F1 title chase made harder

has admitted he "couldn't go any quicker" and made "mistakes" after finishing behind and in qualifying.

Norris is attempting to chase Verstappen at the top of the drivers leaderboard, trailing the Dutchman by 57 points and his pursuit of his rival was made harder after missing out on pole position to Sainz following a dramatic race.

The Brit has had a terrific season after three race wins and 11 podiums, emerging as the main threat to Verstappen's crown alongside Ferrari's

But after the qualifying, Norris conceded he was powerless to finish behind Sainz and Verstappen - admitting that it would be "challenging" to beat them in the main race on Sunday.

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"I was at the limit, I couldn’t go any quicker," he said. "It’s more that the others just didn’t get the most out of it. Pretty much every corner, I was close to locking up and making mistakes. I did that in my Q3 run one lap, but I had definitely nowhere close to three-tenths left in the car. So it was more that they just went quicker.

"I was at the limit, I got everything out of the car already in Q1 and Q2. Made us look like the ones to beat, but honestly since FP1, Ferrari have been the guys to beat, and Carlos is on top today. Challenging to beat them tomorrow."

Norris is known for being candid in interviews and this week he suggested he may not be good enough to beat Verstappen to the title, saying he was "not quite at his level".

He said: "Max is the best in the in that style of defence and attack, and I’m going up against the best in the world.

"Therefore, I need to be at his level, and I’m not quite at his level. It is a shame to say but it is probably the truth. It’s an experience for me and get better."

"I’m learning from Max. Nobody can push it to the limits and understand what he can do better than him. About 99 per cent of the time he’s as on the limit as he can be and correct. He’s at the standard every driver needs to be at."