In contrast to his teammate Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris had a promising weekend at the Red Bull Ring thanks to significant upgrades on his MCL60. The team had equipped his car with a new floor and sidepod design.
Utilizing the enhanced machine, Norris secured an impressive fourth place in the Friday qualifying session, determining the starting grid for the main grand prix. He then improved upon his performance in the Saturday shootout, clinching third place for the 24-lap sprint race.
Unfortunately, Norris’ fortunes took a turn for the worse as he encountered trouble within the first three corners, ultimately finishing in ninth place.
Initial observations suggested that Norris might have been caught up in the intense battle between Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. However, the McLaren driver clarified that he managed to avoid any contact. Instead, he encountered an issue with anti-stall at Turn 3, which proved costly for him.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Norris explained, “I lost control a bit and triggered the anti-stall mechanism, causing my car to rev in Turn 3. That mistake cost me everything, and I’m not entirely sure why it occurred. My Turn 3 maneuver seemed fine to me, albeit quite close, but the anti-stall kicked in, leaving me in neutral and watching everyone overtake me.”
Norris resumed the race in 10th position and managed to gain one spot by the end. However, he was later surpassed by Nico Hulkenberg and George Russell, who both made pitstops to switch from worn intermediate tires to fresh slick Pirellis.
Despite the outcome, Norris expressed satisfaction with McLaren’s decision to stay out on track, considering it a close call. He believed that on a different day, it could have been his competitors who would be viewed as making questionable choices.
He stated, “It was a difficult decision. The drivers who pitted managed to regain their positions only on the final lap, so it was a tough call. It’s not a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. I’m content with our choice to stay out. If there had been a safety car or any other unpredictable circumstances, it would have been our rivals looking like fools. This time, it didn’t work in our favor.”
Norris acknowledged the fluctuating nature of racing fortunes, admitting, “We lost two positions in the last few laps, but in reality, it was already compromised by my Turn 3 incident on the first lap.”
Read Also:
Perez’s Close Call with Verstappen during Austria F1 Sprint Race
F1 Austrian GP: Verstappen Dominates Sprint Race, Securing a 21-Second Lead over Perez
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about anti-stall issue
What upgrades did Lando Norris have for the Austrian GP F1 sprint race?
Lando Norris benefited from major upgrades to his McLaren MCL60 for the Austrian GP F1 sprint race. His car was fitted with a new floor and sidepod design.
What happened to Lando Norris during the race?
Lando Norris encountered an anti-stall issue during the race at Turn 3, which caused his car to rev and led to him losing positions. He clarified that he avoided contact with other drivers.
Did Lando Norris finish the race?
Yes, Lando Norris finished the race in ninth place. However, he had dropped down the order due to the anti-stall issue early on. He managed to gain one position by the end of the race.
How did the pitstop strategy affect Lando Norris’ position?
Lando Norris opted to stay out on track during the race while others made pitstops. Towards the end, he was overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg and George Russell, who had fresher tires after switching from worn intermediates to slick Pirellis.
Was Lando Norris satisfied with McLaren’s decision to stay out during the race?
Yes, Lando Norris expressed satisfaction with McLaren’s decision to stay out. He believed that, on another day with different circumstances, it could have been their rivals who would have made the questionable choice.
More about anti-stall issue
- Lando Norris suffers anti-stall issue in Austrian GP sprint race
- Lando Norris explains anti-stall issue that cost him positions
- Lando Norris’ post-race interview with Sky Sports
- Recap of the Austrian GP F1 sprint race
4 comments
Such a disappointing race for Lando Norris. He was doing great with the new upgrades, but then the anti-stall issue ruined everything. McLaren’s decision to stay out didn’t work this time. Tough call, but that’s racing. #McLaren #Norris #F1
wow, what a race for Lando Norris! He had some major upgrades to his McLaren but then bam! Anti-stall trouble at Turn 3. It cost him everything, and he ended up in 9th place. So close to a great finish, so unlucky. #F1 #Norris
Unbelievable! Norris had a shot at a top finish, but the anti-stall gremlin ruined his race. He was stuck in neutral while everyone zoomed past him. It’s just one of those things that can happen in motorsport. Keep pushing, Lando! #Norris #AustrianGP #Motorsport
Norris had a bad start, man! Anti-stall messed him up big time. He lost positions and was stuck revving in neutral. Can’t believe he dropped from 3rd to 9th. Tough luck, mate! #AustrianGP #Norris #Unlucky