Lando Norris’s F1 championship hopes suffered a major blow after a disastrous qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Norris will start from 17th place on the Baku Street Circuit, the McLaren driver’s first Q1 exit since the opening race in Las Vegas last year.

As the track became steeper and times improved rapidly during the first session, Norris was caught by a yellow flag in the final sector as he attempted a final flying lap.

Given the Briton’s times in the first two sectors, Norris was on course to make it into Q2.

But the slowing Esteban Ocon in his Alpine triggered yellow flags and as Norris approached the sector he had to release the brakes in accordance with the regulations.

The Briton drove straight into the pit lane instead of completing the lap, leaving him in a miserable starting position for the Grand Prix, albeit on a track where overtaking is possible.

“I had to lift,” confirmed Norris, who goes into the race 62 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen.

“It is what it is. There is a long race ahead of us and we still have some good tyres in stock. I am still confident that we can achieve a good result. The car is fast.”

“I think in the round I was in I would have been second. A little frustrating, but I think I can do well.”