Norris Admits Being 'Caught Sleeping' By Mercedes Driver George Russell
F1Sunday, 05 November 2023 at 09:00
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.
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:
"It's a great start. I think we learned a lot during that race, and hopefully, we can do something similar tomorrow."
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.
"My initial start was good, but the second phase of the launch, maybe I was just a bit conservative. I don’t think I had any wheelspin, I was just a little bit on the safe side, so things to improve for tomorrow."
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:
"But nevertheless, caught sleeping a little bit with George on lap 1, but the pace was strong after and I tried to go after Max but just didn’t have enough. But was good fun."
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.
"So many good surprises and a lot of positives for us, of course tomorrow I’ll try again, but will have to do a little bit more overtaking."
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