Norris Expecting Tricky Qualifying: 'Even Haas Is Up There'

Friday, 01 March 2024 at 16:30

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Lando Norris stated he expects a very tricky qualifying session for the first race of the 2024 season - the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Free Practice Session 2 presented the best conditions for qualifying simulations, so all of the F1 teams brought out their soft tires at the beginning of the session and went for one or two qualification laps around the Bahrain International Circuit.

As always, it is crucial to mention that everyone ran a different fuel load and engine power output modes. Nevertheless, the top ten drivers still fit within 0,8 seconds of each other .

Assessing the situation at the end of the day, McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris told the media he expects Red Bull to start at the top even though Max Verstappen took only P6 in both FP1 and FP2.

“"I think it’s still clear that Red Bull are towards the top, Ferrari are close, and Mercedes were always the question mark."”

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What was surprising was that even Haas (who claimed they would be satisfied with P8) seemed to be going quite fast as Nico Hulkenberg took P7.

“"They were never going to be bad. It always gets closer especially in qualifying, even the Haas is up there and they apparently didn't change the car at all!"”

Though it was expected Red Bull would be in the front with a clear lead, even their triple World Champion said the qualifying might be very close and tricky. Norris added:

“"It's always close in qualifying here in Bahrain so I think it's going to be a tricky qualifying no matter what. Whatever we can get out of the car we need to get out."”

McLaren didn't seem like a top contender during the pre-season testing, but their Free Practice long runs suggest the Papaya team might have a strong race pace. Where will McLaren finish during the first race in Bahrain?