Lando Norris reflected on a disappointing qualifying session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was forced to lift off during a fast lap in Q1 due to a yellow flag caused by a slow-moving Esteban Ocon. As a result, Norris couldn’t advance into Q2 and will be starting from 17th on the grid.
“Everybody got to do their second laps, and I didn’t. I think it was Ocon. I had to lift,” Norris explained, clearly frustrated. The yellow flag flashed briefly, but its timing was enough to disrupt Norris’ lap, causing him to lose precious time.
In contrast to Norris’ misfortune, his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri managed to secure an impressive second position. With team orders put in place this weekend for Piastri to support his British teammate in his championship hopes, this is a good start to the weekend for the Australian who will be fighting for the lead in the first corner.
“The lap I was on, I could easily have gone second. It’s frustrating, but nothing I can do,” he said, via Crash.net.
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He was further asked about whether he is able to move up the pack for tomorrow’s race.
“I mean, I guess I’m going to have to hope so. It is what it is, but a long race ahead – we have some good tires in the bank. So yeah I’ll try to drive forward and see what we can do tomorrow.”
This Q1 exit marks Norris’ first since the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix – something he really won’t be wanting now he has a race-winning car at his fingertips. On top of this, McLaren’s decision to back Norris for future races over Piastri is now facing scrutiny, especially after Piastri’s ability to outperform him under tension, such as the Italian Grand Prix’s opening lap demonstrated.
Max Verstappen, Norris’ main title rival, also struggled in qualifying, with him finishing in sixth place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, third in the Driver Standings and 24 points behind Norris, starts on pole. The pressure is on the Papaya driver, that’s for sure.
As the race day beckons, Norris will have to trust the performance of his car:
“I’m still hopeful we can get a good result,” said Norris. “The car is quick and… it’s frustrating, but nothing I can do.”
2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying Results
(Not including Zhou Guanyu’s 20-place grid penalty)
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Sergio Perez
5. George Russell
6. Max Verstappen
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Franco Colapinto
10. Alex Albon
11. Oliver Bearman
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Pierre Gasly
14. Nico Hulkenberg
15. Lance Stroll
16. Daniel Ricciardo
17. Lando Norris
18. Valtteri Bottas
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Esteban Ocon
