Norris: McLaren doesn't have the pace to ease into Q3

  • Published on 14 Jul 2019 12:28
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lando Norris has played down McLaren's pace at Silverstone, insisting that it isn't in a position where it can expect to make it to the final stage of qualifying.

On Saturday, Norris got through to Q3 while teammate Carlos Sainz was knocked out in Q2 amid an extremely tight midfield battle.

MOREMcLaren open to Alonso F1 return with rival team

Norris, who has put in some impressive qualifying performances in recent races, denies that it is feeling "normal" to be high up in the midfield pack.

“I wouldn’t say it feels normal,” stated Norris. “I’m still very excited for the whole team and also myself to get into Q3 because I know I must’ve done a good job.

"It’s not like we’re easily quick enough that Q3 is an easy thing to do. It’s the same today, a small mistake can still cost you getting into Q3, so we have to get into Q3 off of pure performance and bring the lap together and really nail it, and that brings me confidence.

“Of course, when we don’t get into Q3 it’s very disappointing, especially because in the last few attempts we have done, but I don’t think it’s a massive surprise if we, like Carlos today or me in another race don’t get into Q3. I still love it and I’m still very proud to get into Q3.”

Norris content with eighth

Norris was beaten to seventh place by Renault's Daniel Ricciardo, but the Briton remains satisfied with his efforts.

“It was a reasonably good qualifying, Q1 started very well and the wind changed a little bit, started to catch me out and I made a couple of mistakes, small oversteers here and there," he said.

"I just couldn’t improve as much as what other teams could do so we need to investigate a little bit from that side of things.

"But from what I feel I could have done, maybe there was one position better but I’m happy with P8."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 11:39

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 11:39

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 1,233
  • Podiums 36
  • Grand Prix 140
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Nov 13 1999 (25)
  • Place of b. Glastonbury, GB
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.7 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar