Lando Norris Shines in Tricky Canadian GP to Secure P3 - Here's What You Missed
Lando Norris has nothing but praise for his McLaren team after a challenging weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite the tumultuous start, hindered by rain-soaked practice sessions, Norris managed to clinch a commendable third place. It's been a whirlwind of emotions and tire strategies, but Norris has navigated it all with the grace under pressure that he's become known for.
The McLaren squad had a rocky start, with the early practice sessions being disrupted by less-than-ideal weather conditions. Norris was notably the slowest in the second Free Practice session (FP2), leaving the young driver and his team with significant doubts about their competitiveness. 'We had no real gauge on where we'd stand,' Norris admitted, reflecting on the early part of the weekend.
From Rain to Redemption
However, the skies cleared, and so did McLaren's fortunes. Saturday brought cooler and drier conditions, and the MCL38 finally showed its true colors on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri locked out the second row, finishing third and fourth, respectively. This was no small feat, as Norris was just 0.021 seconds shy of Max Verstappen's and George Russell's shared benchmark time. He was elated, noting, 'It’s so close. To be this near the top with a lap that was good but not incredible is immensely satisfying.'
Yet, the road to third position was no smooth sail. The ever-changing track conditions, courtesy of fluctuating weather, added a layer of complexity that tested even the most seasoned drivers. 'Every lap was different,' said Norris. 'We’ve had laps where tires were just coming up to temperature, then dropping away. It's been difficult to get a consistent flow.'
The Intricacies of Montreal
The unique demands of the Montreal track only added to the challenge. With its mix of tight chicanes and high-speed straights, it’s a circuit that requires both finesse and grit. Norris elaborated, 'You need a car that’s good on the kerbs and from an aerodynamic perspective.' Balancing these conflicting requirements is a tough ask for any team, especially under the ever-watchful gaze of Mother Nature.
Despite these hurdles, Norris relished the challenge. 'That’s what makes Montreal so special. It’s tough, but it’s incredibly rewarding to come out with a P3,' he said. The competition was fierce, with just two-tenths of a second separating the top seven or eight drivers. 'It’s good to watch and even more exhilarating to be a part of.'
Eyes on the Prize
Norris believes that McLaren's race pace will be their secret weapon come race day. 'We’ve had great race pace in the last few races,' he remarked, hinting at a possible upset against Mercedes and Red Bull. Although George Russell has been the man to beat throughout the weekend, Norris remains optimistic. 'Mercedes has been very quick, but we’ve shown we can progress through the weekend. Sundays are where we’ve been performing well recently.'
As race day approaches, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they can turn their qualifying success into a podium finish. 'If we can do the same again tomorrow, then I’m excited to see what race we can put on,' Norris concluded. Fans are undoubtedly waiting with bated breath to see if he can turn this P3 into something even more spectacular.