Lando Norris Unhurt After Heavy Crash in Saudi GP Qualifying as McLaren Eyes Strong Race Comeback
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has provided a positive health update on Lando Norris after the British driver suffered a heavy crash during the final phase of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The incident occurred during Q3 at the notoriously fast and narrow Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where Norris lost control and collided with the barriers at the technical Turns 4 and 5 section. The impact sparked immediate concerns about both the driver’s wellbeing and the condition of the McLaren MCL38.
Fortunately, despite the crash’s intensity, Norris walked away without any injuries. Brown reassured fans and the paddock that the young Briton was okay, having immediately reported over team radio that he was fine. “He said he was okay straight away, which was a relief,” Brown said in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “The car, however, took quite a hit—it’s definitely banged up. But we’ll get it fixed and be ready for the race.”
The accident occurred just as Norris had made it into the final qualifying segment, making the timing particularly frustrating for the driver and team. His crash meant he could not complete a flying lap in Q3, leaving him tenth on the starting grid for Sunday’s race. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen continued his dominant qualifying form by taking pole position. However, the margin was razor-thin, with the Dutchman edging out Oscar Piastri—Norris’s teammate—by a mere 0.010 seconds. Piastri’s performance secured him a front-row start, putting McLaren in a promising position despite Norris’s setback.
The crash comes at a critical juncture in the championship fight. Norris entered the Saudi weekend leading the drivers’ standings by just eight points over Verstappen and holding a slim three-point edge over Piastri. With overtaking notoriously difficult on the tight Jeddah street circuit, starting from P10 is far from ideal for the championship leader. Every position could prove vital as the season progresses.
Despite the challenge ahead, Zak Brown expressed full confidence in Norris’s ability to rebound on race day. “We’ve got a strong race car. The focus now is entirely on the Grand Prix,” he said. “Jeddah is a circuit where a safety car is always likely, so that could play into our hands strategically. It’ll probably be a one-stop race, and if we get the timing right, we could see Lando make up some serious ground.”
Brown also praised the team’s overall pace throughout the weekend, pointing out that even with Norris’s crash, McLaren has demonstrated strong competitiveness in both long runs and qualifying trim. Piastri’s performance, in particular, highlighted McLaren’s potential to challenge Red Bull at the front of the field. “Oscar’s been flying all weekend. Starting from the front row gives him a real chance to fight for the win. Track position is everything here, and he’s put himself in a great spot,” Brown said.
The team is hopeful that Piastri can take the fight directly to Verstappen, especially given how closely matched the two drivers were in qualifying. With Piastri now at the forefront of McLaren’s charge for victory and Norris eager to claw back positions, Sunday’s race promises to be a crucial one for the Woking-based outfit.
As for Norris’s car, while the damage was considerable, McLaren believes repairs can be completed without compromising race-day performance. The engineering team has already begun the process of rebuilding the car, ensuring that Norris can start the race in full fighting shape. The focus will be on minimizing the impact of the crash and giving Norris the best possible shot at salvaging a strong result.
All eyes will now be on how the race unfolds for both McLaren drivers. Norris will be tasked with navigating the tight and twisty layout from mid-pack, a daunting challenge on a street circuit where passing is difficult and mistakes can be costly. Meanwhile, Piastri will have a clear view ahead, and if he gets a strong launch, he could challenge Verstappen into Turn 1 and potentially lead the race.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its high-speed drama and unpredictability, and with the championship standings so tight, the stakes couldn’t be higher. McLaren’s blend of competitive pace, driver talent, and strategic awareness will all be put to the test.
Despite the setback in qualifying, the mood within the McLaren camp remains upbeat. Brown’s reassurances regarding Norris’s condition and optimism about the team’s prospects have helped steady the ship. With Piastri poised to challenge at the front and Norris ready for a fightback, McLaren fans have plenty to look forward to as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix looms.
