Norris led the Q2 times using medium tyres due to a new ‘alternative tyre allocation’ experiment in F1, which determines the compounds teams must use in each qualifying phase. However, he fell short in Q3 when switching to softer tyres.
The British driver was narrowly thwarted in his bid for a second career F1 pole, with his 1m16.694s time coming just 0.085s behind Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen’s Red Bull by 0.003s, breaking a pole-less stretch since Jeddah 2021.
Post-session, Norris admitted his performance in Hungary caught him slightly off guard before expressing his discontentment.
“I’m let down, I suppose,” he stated. “If you’re within a tenth of pole, it feels like you should have been on pole if your lap was flawless.”
McLaren had a solid day, continuing their performance from the British Grand Prix where Norris and Oscar Piastri started second and third, respectively. The team solidified their hold on the second row, with Piastri claiming the fourth position.
Nevertheless, Norris conceded to making “excessive mistakes,” preventing him from feeling entirely pleased with his performance.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60
Photo by: Michael Potts / F1 Flow Images
He further stated: “On the whole, I’m pleased the team did well, with both of us securing P3 and P4. So far, it’s been a promising weekend.
“However, from a driver’s perspective, I’m not very satisfied. I made numerous errors which were costly today.”
Norris elaborated that his final Q3 lap “lacked precision” as he struggled to find the right balance between risk and reward. He conceded there was “definitely a tenth” of room for improvement.
“There’s always some risk when trying to push harder,” Norris commented.
“Yet, P3 is a respectable position for tomorrow, so overall, it’s been a good day.”
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Norris expressed optimism about McLaren’s racing speed on Friday, which he believed was “quite robust, much like it was in Silverstone.” He shared his excitement over the team’s race prospects.
However, he warned that the scarcity of passing opportunities at the Hungaroring might complicate the race, leading to his increased frustration.
“I’m competing with the top contenders, and we’ve got both cars in strong positions,” he continued.
“So, hopefully, we can leverage this and earn substantial points tomorrow.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lando Norris F1 Hungarian GP
What position will Lando Norris start in for the F1 Hungarian GP?
Lando Norris will start in third position for the F1 Hungarian GP.
Why is Norris “dissatisfied” with his start position for the F1 Hungarian GP?
Norris is dissatisfied because he feels he made “excessive mistakes” during the qualifying laps, and believes he could have been in pole position if his lap was flawless.
Who led the times during the Q2 qualifying round at the F1 Hungarian GP?
Norris led the times during the Q2 qualifying round at the F1 Hungarian GP.
Who took the pole position in the F1 Hungarian GP?
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes took the pole position in the F1 Hungarian GP.
How did McLaren perform overall in the qualifiers?
On the whole, McLaren performed well, with both Norris and Oscar Piastri securing third and fourth positions respectively.
What does Norris believe about McLaren’s race speed?
Norris expressed optimism about McLaren’s race speed, stating that it was “quite robust,” similar to their performance in Silverstone.
What challenges does Norris anticipate during the race?
Norris anticipates that the scarcity of passing opportunities at the Hungaroring could complicate the race.
More about Lando Norris F1 Hungarian GP
- F1 Hungarian GP Results
- Norris’ Career Highlights
- McLaren’s Team Performance
- Overview of Hungarian Grand Prix
- More about F1 ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ Experiment
5 comments
Hamilton clinches pole again! But Norris is one to watch, pushing the champ to his limits. this is gonna be a thrilling race.
Norris has got potential, no doubt. but sometimes I feel like he’s too hard on himself. mate, P3 isn’t bad at all!!
Cant believe Norris almost got pole. just 0.085s! He’s really pushing it this season, could be his year.
Norris nd mclaren are killing it this season. Just hope they can keep it up for the race. The hungaroring ain’t easy. fingers crossed!
Disapointed for Norris, but still a solid performance from McLaren. They’re on fire this year, cant wait for the race!