Norris Anticipating 'Super Close' Qualifying With One Or Two Tenths Separating Six Positions

Saturday, 25 November 2023 at 16:00

Updated at Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 20:27

McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris predicted a very close qualifying session for the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

One of the biggest stories of this weekend is the fight between McLaren and Aston Martin for fourth place in the Constructors' Championship.

The team that announced yesterday they will be extending collaboration with Mercedes until at least 2030 will want to finish the 2023 season on a high.

While Lando Norris missed the first practice session at Yas Marina Circuit, he jumped back into his McLaren for the FP2 and scored a P2 lacking just 0,043 on Charles Leclerc in P1. He told the media after the session.

"I got comfortable and confident very quickly, which is very important on a day when you miss FP1. I could push on the car, it was performing pretty well, a few things to look into, but otherwise a decent day."

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While McLaren shows a very strong pace, the 24-year-old is aware it will take a perfect lap in order to qualify at the top, as he expects a very close qualifying session.

"It's going to be very close. One or two-tenths is easily five or six positions [lost], so it's not that you feel first or last. I think it's about finding the little things that can make a big difference in qualifying."

Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri confidently stated McLaren's car has the pace to protect the fourth place in the Constructors' Championship.

The two drivers confirmed there was some serious pace in their cars during the third practice session in Abu Dhabi, as they scored a P2 and P3.

While free practice sessions do not completely reveal the pace of different teams, finishing high in multiple sessions generally translates to decent qualifying and race results, which is exactly what McLaren needs to protect their 4th place in the championship.