Il Nuovo Postiglione - Norris retains composure as pressure mounts in title race

Under pressure to perform as he bids to overhaul McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri's 22-point advantage in the drivers' title race, the 25-year-old Briton, who was fastest in Friday's opening practice, admitted he lacked the pace to beat Red Bull's four-time champion and claim pole.

"It has been more of a struggle today for whatever reason," said Norris. "Yesterday I was quite comfortable and I don't know if everyone has improved a bit or the wind today hurt us a bit more.

"We were both struggling quite a bit more to put the laps in and be as quick as Max.

"We were pushing. I'm happy with P2 -- it could have been worse. There's no chance we could have gone pole today."

After his luckless crash with Piastri, in a multiple collision, in the earlier sprint race won by Verstappen, Norris was philosophical.

"Don't get hit is my clue for tomorrow. I look forward to having a good race with Max," he said.

"We've had a good few in the past and I'm looking forward to it."

Having trimmed his deficit behind series leader Piastri by 41 points since the summer break before trimming it to 55 by winning the sprint, Verstappen was positive about his hopes.

"This is a strong result for us," he said. "It was good. The car was strong and it can be tricky to put a lap together here with the wind and the bumps -– and it's very hot too."

Asked about his late bid for a sensational fifth title triumph, he said the key was to win and keep winning.

"McLaren helped us today," he joked, referring to the opening lap crash in the sprint which saw Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg hit Piastri's McLaren and push him into the luckless Norris.

"But we just have to keep on doing that... If we win, we have a chance."

Piastri admitted he had endured another difficult day.

"It didn't come together and we have to review it and see what we can do," he said, adding that he felt certain he retained the calmness to regain the consistency that marked his surge to the top of the title race earlier in the season.

M.Dodaro--INP