Lando Norris confesses to hoping Max Verstappen would make some mistake at Dutch GP quali so that he could capture P1

Lando Norris just fell short by half a second in comparison to Max Verstappen during the Dutch GP qualifying session.

Lando Norris confesses to hoping Max Verstappen would make some mistake at Dutch GP quali so that he could capture P1

VERSTAPPEN Max ned, Red Bull Racing RB19, portrait NORRIS Lando gbr, McLaren F1 Team MCL60, portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix, 13th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from August 25 to 28, 2023 on the Zandvoort Circuit, in Zandvoort, Netherlands - F1 - DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2023 DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxBEL 00123030_GRL_12169

Lando Norris, the McLaren F1 driver, will be starting tomorrow’s 2023 Dutch GP from second place on the grid. While the Brit is pretty pleased with his starting position, he has admitted that deep down in his heart, he was hoping for the prolific Max Verstappen to make a mistake during qualifying for him to pounce on.

However, to the disappointment of Lando Norris and his die-hard supporters, the Dutchman was pretty much on it during the three sessions of qualifying. He did not make any errors during the Q3 session and put in a stellar lap during the dying stages that was good enough to clinch the pole position for tomorrow’s race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILtpgXHbBIs

Norris on his final run was able to put in a time of 1:11.104 whereas the reigning World Champion was able to zoom around the circuit with a sensational time of 1:10.567. While talking about the same after the quali session, Norris said, “I’m happy with this P2, every time you hope Max makes a mistake but he doesn’t.”

Looking at the comments of the McLaren starlet, it is pretty clear while he is content with starting on the front row, he would have loved to have the top position going into Turn1 at the Zandvoort F1 circuit. Moreover, has indirectly applauded Verstappen for being on it whenever the situation demands.

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Lando Norris might get a shot to score his first-ever F1 victory at Zandvoort

Lando Norris (Credits: GPBlog)
Lando Norris (Credits: GPBlog)

While Lando Norris is slightly dejected with starting tomorrow’s race from the second position, he will have every chance of scoring his first Grand Prix win at the pinnacle of motor racing. The weather conditions for the Dutch GP are predicted to be mixed and this could allow Norris to get the jump on Verstappen.

The race strategy by the McLaren pit wall could play a crucial role in deciding where Lando Norris ends up ultimately at the end of the race. The MCL60 has so far proved to be a lethal weapon at Zandvoort and if the same proves to be the case in race-trim, then there would be every chance of Norris becoming a nuisance for Red Bull’s most prized possession.

The Dutch GP has over the years developed a knack for dishing out unexpected results and considering everything that has been discussed above, the fans could be in for the same during tomorrow’s much-awaited event. Lando Norris has got the caliber to win a Grand Prix and for him, it is going to be about executing everything to perfection during the race.

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