Lando Norris appeared relaxed and positive about his chances in the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, saying that missing out on pole position is “not the end of the world”.
The Brit enters the race off the back of a morale-boosting win at Monaco last week, and has appeared in a content and happy mood in the build-up to this weekend’s contest.
In qualifying, Norris bettered his first run in Q3 with a 1:11.755s, but it was not enough to prevent team-mate Oscar Piastri snatching pole right at the end of the session.
If the one-lap pace is anything to go by, then the McLarens’ only competition is each other, and Norris seemed buoyed about his race prospects despite losing out to Piastri via an untidy first sector.
“The speed was easily there today,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “And sometimes you just don’t put the laps in.
“Today was good. I think I was a little bit behind at the start of qualifying and I caught up nicely.
“I know where I lost that time on the final lap. It was just trying a little bit too much and just not being quite tidy enough – especially around a lap like Barcelona.
“One little oversteer in Turn 1, Turn 2, you kind of already know it’s going to be a tricky rest of the lap.
“So, it’s still good. I still feel fine. I’m happy with second, especially in Barcelona – it’s not the end of the world. So, a positive weekend.”
Norris ‘reassured’ by McLaren pace
McLaren’s MCL39 has been proven to keep its tyre temperatures down during hot races, and the race is forecast to take place under temperatures of around 30 degrees.
When asked if he is confident in the car’s race pace, Norris responded positively, but said the hot weather will affect everyone.
“We’ve been good in all conditions so far,” he said. It’s obviously very hot. So, like Oscar said, just a bit of a struggle for everyone.
“It’s a struggle in quali to look after the tyres for one lap, so the race is then much trickier. But the car has been good the whole weekend, as you’ve shown today.
“So yeah, that’s always reassuring before Sunday.”
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