NOR EASY RIDES

Mercs are picking up pace which worries Lando

- BY DANIEL MOXON

LANDO NORRIS admitted Mercedes will be “a big threat” today despite holding off rookie Kimi Antonelli to win yesterday's Sprint race.

The championship leader started on pole and led throughout, extending his lead over Oscar Piastri to nine points after his McLaren teammate crashed out in damp conditions.

But pacy Antonelli piled on the pressure in the last few laps and left Norris worried ahead of today’s Grand Prix.

The Brit said: “Kimi kept me under pressure for the whole race. I expected us to be a little bit better than we were. We've got some work to do. The pace was good enough to win but not enough to do it in a comfortable manner.