Norris Admits Being 'Caught Sleeping' By Mercedes Driver George Russell

McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris reflected on the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint Race at Interlagos Circuit.

After a supreme performance last weekend, Lando Norris with the McLaren team came to Sao Paulo with hopes of challenging for the podium, if not the first place.

The 23-year-old was able to put his McLaren on the pole during the Sprint Shootout, even with what he called "one of the worst laps," so he started the sprint race from the first position.

However, Norris lost two positions right away on the first lap by first being overtaken by Max Verstappen into the first corner and then by George Russell into turn number 8.

Read also

Will Leclerc And Verstappen Collide? Leclerc Reveals His Plan To "Block" Verstappen

The number 4 driver then managed to get his position back from Russell but could not catch Verstappen and finished second in the end. He stayed positive when talking to the media right after the Sprint:

Asked to react to his seemingly failed start of the line, Norris defended his reaction time but admitted he maybe was too conservative on the throttle before the first corner.

The overtake of Russell on Norris was an incredible maneuver when he sent it down the inside in turn 8, where the McLaren driver would not have expected it. Norris admitted:

Lando Norris managed to qualify only in P7 for the race on Sunday. After the grid accounted for the grid penalties, he will start from sixth alongside Lewis Hamilton in P6.

Read also

Norris Reacts To 'Another Disappointing' Qualification: 'Not A Lot We Could Have Done'