Lando Norris apologises to McLaren in X-rated message at Italian GP | F1 | Sport

But Norris did not seem impressed with his final lap in qualifying and felt that he could push the car much further, telling his race engineer: “Yeah that was a s*** lap, I’m sorry, my bad.”

Over the team radio, Will Joseph then informed the Brit that he had indeed taken pole: “I’m sorry mate, your s*** lap was good enough for pole!”

An overjoyed Norris then replied:”“Cool! means your set-up was amazing! Thank you boys, lovely one-two, thanks.”

Despite securing back-to-back pole positions, Norris was unimpressed by his efforts and knows that he can improve, in a worrying verdict for his rivals on the grid.

“Another pole is amazing,” Norris said during his post-qualifying interview. “To have first and second when the field has been so tight is surprising.

“It hurts me to say it but my lap wasn’t great but I am very, very happy. I am not expecting an easy race – there are some unknown things with the tyres and degradation – but I am looking forward to it.”

Regardless of Norris’ disappointment, McLaren CEO Zak Brown was overjoyed at the prospect of closing the gap to Red Bull and Verstappen further.

“Awesome performance from Lando and Oscar,” he told Sky Sports F1. “We have given them a fast car and they are getting the job done. We thought we had a shot at pole but it could have been a few cars with how close it is. I think we are going to see an epic battle tomorrow.

“He (Norris) has always been a relaxed guy but when you are getting multiple poles, multiple wins, it becomes a bit easier.”