Lando Norris messed up qualifying in Bahrain and then admitted he was ‘clueless’.

The Briton was only sixth fastest as his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri took pole in what was clearly the quickest car.

Mercedes’ George Russell qualified second – outstanding, only to be demoted a place for entering the pit lane too early.

Charles Leclerc, therefore, moved up a place for Ferrari, with Kimi Antonelli fourth for Mercedes and Pierre Gasly fifth for Alpine.

Norris, who holds a one-point lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, said: ‘I’ve been off every lap this weekend. 

'Don’t know why; just clueless on track at the minute. I need a big reset.’

Verstappen qualified a place behind Norris, the last man the Briton needs in his mirrors.

The four-time world champion who won the last two races in Bahrain, was in all sorts of trouble, in qualifying seventh for Red Bull.

'There's something really wrong with my car,' complained Verstappen.

'My brakes are terrible. I can't brake.'