Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 21, Brazilian Grand Prix, Friday 3rd November 2023. Sao Paulo, Brazil.
McLaren driver Lando Norris believes the MCL60 was quick enough to claim pole position in São Paulo before failing to grasp an opportunity in Q3.
Norris was fastest during Q2 at Interlagos but was only seventh on his opening push lap in Q3 as weather conditions quickly deteriorated.
The wind picked up rapidly through the first few minutes of Q3 before light spots of rain increased into a deluge that swept through the venue.
Running was suspended due to the violent nature of the storm and Race Control swiftly decided that the session would not resume.
The result continues Norris’ erratic one-lap form, having qualified on the front row in Austin, in-between being only 10th in Qatar and 17th in Mexico City.
“It was great honestly, the car was amazing, yeah, easily quick enough to be quickest today and on pole,” he said.
“I’m pretty gutted to end the way we did. I don’t know what to feel about it, the car was amazing, came alive in qualifying – delivering the lap and putting it together in Q3 and everything is a different job.
“Easily quick enough, so disappointed, another disappointing Saturday [sic], but not a lot we could have done.”
McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri finished at the foot of Q3 after an error on his sole push lap at Juncao.
Piastri went wide into the left-hander, bringing out the yellow flags, inadvertently scuppering the lap of the pursuing Sergio Perez.
Keyword: Norris ‘pretty gutted’ over missing pole opportunity