Lando Norris didn’t hold back when reflecting on his own performance after a dramatic crash during qualifying at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris candidly described himself as a “fucking idiot” after crashing out during the Jeddah Grand Prix qualifying. Despite showing promising pace throughout the weekend, Norris’s ambitions were thwarted at Turn 5 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit when he pushed too aggressively on his initial Q3 attempt. This mistake cost him a shot at the pole, which eventually went to Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
After the incident, Norris was questioned if he still agreed with his harsh self-assessment. Unfazed, Norris replied, “Makes sense. Well, yeah, I mean, I agree with it.” He went on to express his conviction that he should have been competing for pole and acknowledged his error in taking unnecessary risks on his first fast lap.
Norris acknowledged that while it was uncertain if he could have clinched pole position, given Red Bull’s strong performance, being a part of that battle was his goal. Feeling comfortable and performing well until the crash, Norris expressed disappointment for letting himself and his team down, adding that it was now a significant task for his team to fix the damage.
Leading up to the race, Norris had expressed difficulties in adapting his driving style to the MCL39, which impacted his confidence. Despite a challenging weekend in Bahrain, where he managed to finish third, his struggles continued in Saudi Arabia. Norris admitted to not fully understanding what went wrong, noting that he was content with his car’s performance until the mishap occurred.
On a brighter note, Norris felt more at ease in Jeddah compared to Bahrain, praising the circuit’s grip. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve his driving and the team’s work to comprehend these challenges. Looking ahead to the race, Norris remained optimistic about the strong car performance, though he anticipated difficulties with overtaking on the challenging circuit.
Norris’s goal was to move past this rare setback, maintain a positive outlook, and aim for a successful race despite the obstacles. He acknowledged that with drivers like George Russell close behind and Max Verstappen leading, the task ahead was daunting but not insurmountable.
Lando Norris’s candid reflection on his qualifying blunder at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix highlights the intense pressure and demands of Formula 1 racing. Demonstrating accountability and determination, Norris looks to learn from his mistakes and focus on bouncing back in the next race.
