Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris: Bleak outlook for the Mexican Grand Prix

Our British colleagues had been looking forward to a comeback from Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris at the front of the field, as the McLaren star had been the second-fastest in Friday’s practice and, on Saturday morning, he set the pace in the third and final free practice session. He was even the fastest in Q2, but when it really mattered, he could only manage the sixth-fastest lap.

The frustration was written all over Norris’s face as he explained afterwards: “I don’t think pole was within reach; I only managed one magic lap earlier, considering what our car is currently capable of.” The Briton then pointed to his team-mate, who hadn’t even made it into the top 10 on the grid. “You can tell from Oscar’s position just how difficult the car is to drive.”

Lando Norris puts it bluntly: “We’re simply not fast enough”

“That’s why I’m actually quite happy with sixth place, to be honest,” Norris admitted. “I put in a brilliant lap in Q2, but I wasn’t able to do the same in Q3 because there’s no chance of repeating that lap. We’re simply too slow, and sometimes I can pull a magical lap out of the hat that gives everyone hope again. But that’s not good, because you saw in Q3 what the reality is.”

Looking ahead to the race, the 13-time Grand Prix winner added: “I’ll be driving the same car as in qualifying, and it’s simply not good enough. We’re just not fast enough. And overtaking will certainly be incredibly difficult, so I don’t reckon I’ll have too many chances.”

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Mexico City: Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

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