Lando Norris candidly reflects on what he calls an “amateur” move that cost him a potential sprint victory.
- Norris made a bold move at Turn 3 during Lap 5, temporarily taking the lead from Max Verstappen.
- Despite the initial success, Verstappen and Oscar Piastri managed to overtake Norris, affecting his race position.
- Norris admitted the lapse in defense allowed Verstappen to retake the lead, with Piastri following into second place.
- McLaren performed strongly overall, giving Norris hope for the main race despite the sprint setback.
In a thrilling sprint at the Austrian Grand Prix, Lando Norris found himself in a fierce battle with Max Verstappen and his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. During Lap 5, Norris seized the moment and executed a bold dive bomb into Turn 3. This aggressive maneuver briefly granted him the lead. However, maintaining that lead proved challenging.
Verstappen, unfazed, managed to reclaim the top spot going into Turn 4, aided by Norris’s self-confessed “amateur” mistake of leaving the door open. This not only allowed Verstappen to pass but also opened the way for Piastri, who took second place, holding it until the end of the race.
Despite these challenges, McLaren’s performance as a team was commendable. Norris noted that while their pace wasn’t enough to keep up with Verstappen, who seemed a bit too quick, the team secured a solid number of points. Norris expressed optimism, saying it was a good race overall, especially with the initial competition alongside Verstappen.
The McLaren driver reflected on the race dynamics, admitting, “Probably some things I definitely should have done a bit better in my battle but I understand that and the pace of the car was very strong, especially the end of the race.” According to Norris, while they could not surpass Verstappen as a unit, he firmly believed they were fair in their racing approach.
Looking forward, Norris remained hopeful for the upcoming race, acknowledging the day’s learnings and expressing readiness to challenge once more.
Lando Norris’s candid assessment and the team’s overall strong performance build anticipation for their next race challenge.
