Lando Norris claims McLaren made the ‘mistake’ of trying to overcut Max Verstappen at the Canadian GP
Lando Norris barely missed out on a race victory in Canada due to a poor strategy call made by McLaren.
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)
McLaren could have had a much better end to the Canadian GP with Lando Norris coming close to taking yet another victory. The crew stuck to a different strategy during the race which didn’t turn out to be as rewarding as they thought. Due to this strategy, Norris missed out on the race win in Montreal. Hence, the Briton opened up regarding the mistake committed by the team against Max Verstappen.
Lando Norris had a great drive and overtook Max Verstappen with the latter having DRS as well. Additionally, the Briton soon overtook George Russell for the lead of the race. However, a safety car from Logan Sargeant‘s crash saw all the trailing drivers pit under the safety car. Norris tried to do an overcut strategy which failed and didn’t help him overtake Verstappen.
The 24-year-old reckoned that he could’ve stopped immediately like the others but didn’t, which was a mistake. However, sticking to this strategy helped Norris overcut Russell for the runner-up spot in the race. Additionally, Norris reckoned that he might have overtaken Verstappen if he had been quick to overtake when the safety car went inside.
I could have stopped immediately like the others did and we didn't do it, it was a mistake on our part but subsequently staying out on the intermediates instead of immediately switching to the slicks helped me to overcut Russell. I could have stayed ahead of Verstappen too if I had been quicker to overtake again.Lando Norris said, as reported by formulapassion.it.
Lando Norris claims finishing in second place is ‘good’ in ‘difficult conditions’ of the Canadian GP
The Canadian GP witnessed multiple people crashing out on the track under the wet conditions. Hence, a runner-up finish in Montreal wasn’t the worst of the results. Norris reckoned that the team could’ve won the race which they didn’t. Regardless, the Briton accepted that finishing in second was good considering the difficult conditions. However, this result didn’t call for celebrations for the one-time race winner as the runner-up wasn’t as good as winning the race.
We could have won and we didn't once again we were there and in any case finishing in second place is a good result in such difficult conditions although it is no longer a position to be fully celebrated and this is a big step forward in terms of performance in general.Lando Norris added.
Anyhow, the Briton claimed that he wouldn’t complain about the safety car conditions or the way it was deployed. The reason was that this very safety car was responsible for Norris’ maiden victory in Miami. Hence, according to the 24-year-old, all this was a part of racing in the pinnacle of motorsport.
I certainly won't be among those who complain about the Safety Car because in Miami it played to my advantage and in Canada it didn't, it's the racing.Lando Norris concluded.
McLaren has started off the season in great form against the struggling Red Bull. Woking has further closed the gap between Ferrari and themselves after Maranello sustained a double DNF. Hence, the latter half of the season looks promising for great racing action between these teams.
In case you missed it:
- Carlos Sainz claims Canadian GP a ‘race to forget’ for Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton unknowingly hints Mercedes might’ve sabotaged his run by not letting him stay out on ‘better’ medium tire at Canadian GP
Aditya Pandya
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