Lando Norris has criticised people who he perceives started “talking nonsense” about the circumstances surrounding his Q1 exit at Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Norris failed to advance into Q3 for the first time this campaign as he sustained an unexpected elimination with 17th place in the opening qualifying segment in Baku.
The Briton was on course to deliver the lap time he needed to progress into Q2 when he straddled the exit kerb at Turn 16, prompting him to abandon his final attempt.
However, Norris was adamant that his last run became unsalvageable when he was made to reduce his speed as a caution was shown to cover a slow-moving Alpine.
McLaren was incensed with the choice to produce a yellow flag at that particular moment when Esteban Ocon was not nursing an issue as he retreated to the pit lane.
Norris has since reiterated that was the imperative cause behind his exit, citing that the audience not being exposed to certain information created wrong perceptions.
“This was one of the most unfair things that I think has happened in a long time,” Norris said.
“I went off the track, yes, but then there’s the yellow flag and you [the audience] can’t see the flag.
“So everyone was talking about the white flag and all this nonsense. What they can’t see is my dash, which had big yellow lights on.
“So a lot of people are talking nonsense and stuff like that. But I had to lift and that took away my chances.”
Norris heralds McLaren’s race execution
Norris managed to mount an impressive climb through the order to gain 11 places to come home in fourth position, beating title rival Max Verstappen in the process.
With team-mate Oscar Piastri producing a stellar drive to win the race, McLaren has now obtained the Constructors’ Championship lead with seven rounds remaining.
Norris has commended how McLaren reacted to his earlier weekend to maximise its points haul in the circumstances, despite conceding it was not an optimal return.
“We were not happy as a team after [Saturday] night because we knew we could have had two cars up there” Norris reviewed.
“And when you look at where Oscar finished, we knew we could have had two cars right at the top. And that’s what we love to see.
“So there’s more potential. I don’t think we’re very happy with the weekend because we want perfection.
“And this weekend was not perfect. But when you look at the race and how we executed it, I think everyone should be very happy.”
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