Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hail ‘amazing’ front row lock-out for McLaren at Monza as they capitalise on Red Bull’s struggles

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both full of praise for McLaren’s efforts as the team recorded their second front row lock-out of the season with an electric qualifying display during Italian Grand Prix qualifying.

Norris and Piastri showed strong pace throughout Saturday’s session at Monza and delivered when it mattered in the decisive Q3 phase, getting the better of the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers in an ultra-close top-six.

Outside of that top-six were Red Bull, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez only seventh and eighth, meaning both Norris and McLaren are in prime position to cut their rivals’ championship leads once more.

Reflecting on the session, Norris said: “Another pole, which is amazing. To have the cars first and second when the field has been as tight as it has all weekend, it’s a little bit of a surprise, but a nice one. A big well done to the team as they’ve done an amazing job.

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Pole position qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren — Norris will lead team mate Piastri away at the start at Monza, matching their grid positions in Hungary

“Honestly, my lap… It hurts me to say, it was not a great lap. My Q1 run one was, but run two [there] was a little bit more and we’re still good enough for pole. So, a little bit surprised again, but very, very happy.”

Asked for his hopes and expectations in the race, he continued: “The same. Really, the same would be lovely. But like we’ve seen all weekend, it’s so close. There’s a lot of very quick drivers behind in quick cars, so I’m not expecting a very easy race tomorrow.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix

“[There are] a lot of unknown things going into the race with the degradation, the tyres, the tarmac. Plenty of question marks and plenty of excitement, I’m sure.”

Piastri, meanwhile, was left to ponder if a maiden pole position could have been on the cards with a cleaner final lap – having wound up just over a tenth away from team mate Norris.

“The first lap in Q3 was quite good, just the second one not quite enough, which I feel like I’ve said a few too many times this year,” he commented. “Still, a good performance, and a really good team effort.

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes on — Norris and McLaren are pushing to catch Verstappen and Red Bull in the respective title races

“The field’s been incredibly tight this weekend. I think I said on the radio, there was no guarantee of a front row lock out for us, so an amazing effort to be able to pull that off.”

He added: “Starting a bit further up the front than last week is definitely a positive for myself. It’s obviously a long run down to Turn 1, so starting second here is not always the worst thing.

“Let’s see what the tyres do tomorrow. It’s been a little bit different to what we’re used to in Monza, so it could be a pretty exciting race. With such a tight field at the front I think it will be very exciting.”

McLaren head into the race aiming to cut Red Bull’s 30-point advantage in the constructors’ standings, while Norris will be hoping to capitalise on his grid slot and reduce Verstappen’s 70-point drivers’ lead.