Lando Norris ‘surprised’ to defeat Max Verstappen on pure pace in Azerbaijan GP after starting from P15
Lando Norris expressed surprise at his race performance, admitting he didn’t expect to compete with or beat Max Verstappen at the Azerbaijan GP.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
Lando Norris endured one of his toughest qualifying sessions in a while, starting from 15th on the grid at the Azerbaijan GP. However, his exceptional driving skills allowed him to overtake several competitors and even challenge Max Verstappen for P5. This impressive performance was partly due to the surprising pace of the MCL38, which caught even Norris off guard.
After the race, Lando Norris expressed his surprise at how the race unfolded. The Briton admitted that he did not expect to compete with or beat Max Verstappen as he started from 15th on the grid. He explained that after Red Bull made a pit stop, he found himself behind and didn’t think he’d have the chance to catch up. He was even ordered by his team not to fight against Verstappen.
I’m a little bit surprised. When you start 15th, I didn't really expect to beat him, especially because they were boxed and we were behind.Lando Norris said, as reported by RacingNews365
In the beginning, the Brit was almost 22 seconds behind others including Verstappen. Norris was surprised that he managed to box and overtake Verstappen, something he never expected.
I was about 22 seconds behind on real terms to where they were. So to create a gap ahead of him and then to box and still overtake him, I wasn't expecting to do such a thing.Lando Norris added
Lando Norris admits playing the game well in defending his position against Max Verstappen
On lap 49, Lando Norris overtook his championship rival Max Verstappen and quickly noticed that the Dutchman’s tires were overheating. This made it harder for him to mount an attack.
Using this in advantage, Norris expertly defended his position, aware that Verstappen couldn’t challenge him as aggressively. The 24-year-old remarked that he “played the game well” by making smart tactical decisions to maintain his lead.
I knew his tires were getting to a point where they were too hot and he couldn't attack me anymore. So I played the game well.Lando Norris explained
Lando Norris’s smart choices and decision-making helped him secure P4, despite starting from the 15th position. His results along with Oscar Piastri’s win helped McLaren overtake Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.
Stay Updated!
Gaurang Kadam
(535 Articles Published)