Lando Norris has to settle for the second starting position in Qatar. The Brit watched as teammate Oscar Piastri dipped under his time in his last fast lap, while he had to abort his own lap. Although Norris is disappointed that he couldn’t ultimately fight for pole, he is complimentary towards his teammate: ‘Oscar has been driving well all weekend, so I have nothing to complain about’.
What exactly happened in his second fast lap? That’s the question interviewer James Hinchcliffe immediately asks Norris at the session. “I don’t know,” sighs the championship leader. “I had some understeer and almost went off the track. I had to abort my lap because of that. It’s a shame, but it is what it is. Oscar had a great lap and has been driving well all weekend. So, I have nothing to complain about, I just couldn’t drive that last lap.”
First Lap
Norris starts the race from the first starting row, next to his teammate and with Max Verstappen in his wake. Does the Brit also expect a threat from Verstappen in the fight for the Grand Prix victory? “You never know,” replies the McLaren driver. “There are always opportunities for everyone during the first laps, but after that, it becomes a pretty settled game.”
However, Norris hasn’t thought about his tactics for the fight to the first corner yet. “We’ve just finished qualifying,” he laughs. “I hope I can do better than today (during the sprint race). But otherwise, we’re in a good position. The car feels good, and we’re making progress. However, it’s a long race tomorrow.”
