Lando Norris complained of the McLaren’s MCL39 being difficult to…read more
Lando Norris has shared his concerns about struggling during the Chinese Grand Prix after a challenging weekend leading up to the race. The McLaren driver had a promising start, topping free practice, but things took a turn during the sprint weekend. He made a mistake in the sprint qualifying session, leaving him to start in fifth. Another error in the sprint race saw him finish in a surprising eighth position. However, Norris bounced back in qualifying, securing third on the grid for the main race.
Norris put in a determined effort during the Grand Prix, working his way to finish in second place, just behind his teammate Oscar Piastri, helping McLaren achieve a significant milestone— their 50th one-two finish. This result not only boosted the team’s morale but also allowed Norris to maintain his lead in the drivers’ championship, with just an eight-point advantage over Max Verstappen.
Despite the strong finish, Norris admitted that he was not feeling confident in his McLaren MCL39 throughout the weekend. The car’s handling had posed significant challenges, making Norris fear that he would struggle in the race. His apprehension stemmed from the difficulties he faced in the previous sessions, particularly with getting comfortable in the car. However, to his relief, he managed to overcome these struggles during the race.
Reflecting on the weekend, Norris said, “It was a tough race, but I’m satisfied with the result, especially for the team. Achieving McLaren’s 50th one-two is a remarkable milestone, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that.” He further expressed his satisfaction with his performance, considering the issues he had been facing. “Given how tough my last few days have been, I’m happy with the pace I found. It was much stronger than I anticipated,” he added.
Norris acknowledged that his lack of confidence earlier in the weekend had made him nervous about how the race would unfold. “I wasn’t confident at all and was genuinely worried I might struggle again, but I’m pleased with how things turned out.” Despite his initial fears, he was pleased to discover the reasons behind his struggles and how he managed to improve his performance during the race.
He also expressed his pride in his progress with the car and his driving. “It was a much stronger race day than I thought it would be,” Norris noted. “I’m happy knowing that I’ve gained answers about the car and myself. This result makes me happy, but I’m even more delighted for the team and our incredible achievement.” Norris ended by highlighting the importance of McLaren’s one-two finish, making it clear that the team’s success was his primary source of satisfaction from the weekend.
