Lando Norris Left Red-Faced as Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso Expose McLaren’s Achilles’ Heel
Follow Us
Lando Norris and McLaren, faced a reality check during the Dutch Grand Prix as the race unraveled what might be McLaren‘s primary weakness. It all seemed hunky dory after a stellar performance during the qualifying rounds, hopes were high for Norris & Co. The British driver showcased immense skill, even challenging for the pole position. Although post that when the race day dawned with unpredictable weather, it all unraveled for the Orange team.
Lando Norris got a deja vu from the 2021 Russian GP with changeable conditions as a decision to stay out for an extra lap at the onset of heavy rain proved to be Norris’s undoing. This decision enabled competitors like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who made timely switches to intermediate tires, to overtake him.
Drawing comparisons post the race, Norris remarked on McLaren’s pace, “If you want to say what was our pace like compared to Aston? It was pretty terrible. Compared to Mercedes pretty terrible so our pace today was a long way off the pace that we showed in qualifying. Our one-lap pace is a lot more competitive than our race pace. I think that’s becoming more and more evident and we’re doing whatever we can to fix it and make steps forward.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Even with the challenges, Norris commendably secured a seventh-place finish. Still, he was haunted by a lingering sense of lost potential. As it seems, at times their success is determined by raw speed, while at other moments, it’s the strategy that counts. While they weren’t at their slowest, they also weren’t performing at their peak.
Lando Norris says the #MCL60’s pace was “pretty terrible” compared to their rivals at the #DutchGP
“If you want to say what was our pace like compared to Aston? It was pretty terrible. Comapred to #Mercedes Pretty terrible…”#F1 #Formula1 #McLaren #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/lrnrIY82tH
— McLaren F1 News 🏴🇦🇺 (@TheMcLarenZone) August 28, 2023
The inconsistency in McLaren’s performance between qualifying rounds and actual race days is not an isolated incident. The team has been grappling with this problem more frequently. Their speed during a single lap is much better than their overall race performance. This problem is becoming more apparent, and despite their best efforts to address it, their current attempts are falling short.
The Dutch Grand Prix might not have been Norris’s day, but it has undeniably shed light on areas that McLaren needs to address. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how the team maneuvers through these challenges.
McLaren’s strategy at Dutch Grand Prix under review leaves Lando Norris frustrated
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As the rain intensified, most teams pitted for intermediate tires. However, McLaren’s decision to keep Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri on soft compounds quickly backfired, pushing them down the grid. Turns out the P2 grid position was no good vs.. the strategy McLaren had in mind.
Post-race, a candid Norris expressed his displeasure to Sky Sports, highlighting the team’s questionable tire decision and unclear communication. He contrasted his struggles in the race to Lewis Hamilton’s swift overtaking moves, indicating McLaren’s challenges with their car in dirty air.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
“Uncle” Lando Norris Shares Heartwarming Moment With Max Verstappen’s GF’s Daughter Penelope
April 29, 2024 05:58 PM EDT
Lewis Hamilton Turns New York’s Fifth Avenue into an Improvised Street Circuit in Latest Stunt Ahead of Miami GP
April 30, 2024 03:56 PM EDT
Adrian Newey’s Manager Reveals Shocking Retirement Plan After Red Bull Exit
May 01, 2024 01:46 PM EDT
Lando Norris Faces Brutal Injury After Party With Martin Garrix Goes Wrong Ahead of Miami GP
April 27, 2024 07:33 PM EDT
Bad News for Carlos Sainz as Audi Boss Delivers Disappointing News for 2025 Car
April 29, 2024 11:02 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Acknowledging the oversight, McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, said, “With Lando, we hesitated too much at the start before pitting for intermediates.” He praised Piastri’s efforts in challenging conditions but bemoaned a tire lock-up that necessitated an untimely pit stop. Stella remained optimistic, noting the car’s competitiveness, and promised a thorough review ahead of the upcoming Italian race, signaling hope for a better showing at Monza.
WATCH THIS STORY | Will F1 see a McLaren-Honda Reunion Again in 2026?
Edited by:
Aishwary Gaonkar