3rd place is not enough
For the second time this season after the Canadian Grand Prix, Lando Norris secured a top-three qualifying position at the Belgian GP. At Spa, as in Montreal, the reigning world champion set the 3rd fastest time, but unlike the North American weekend, McLaren’s #1 will start from 13th on the grid, due to a ten-place penalty caused by using the fourth power electronics unit.
Read more Leclerc: “I saw the yellow flag and slowed down. But I wouldn’t have made the front row”
A grid demotion that represents a low blow for the British driver, not only because of the penalty itself but also for other reasons: from losing a top position in the standings to the real possibility of fighting for the podium at a positive moment for McLaren, as shown by the progress made by the team on the eve of a race that the 26-year-old considers almost like home due to the support of his fans.
A real shame for Norris, present in the customary photo after qualifying alongside Max Verstappen and poleman Andrea Kimi Antonelli, in his sixth career pole position.
Read more Ferrari on the attack tomorrow at Spa, Vasseur: «We do better in the race than in qualifying»
Norris’s words
“We didn’t change anything specific to be fast on this track – he commented immediately after getting out of the car – it’s nice to be third, it’s not nice to have to start back because of the penalty. It’s a pity not to be able to fight with Antonelli and Verstappen tomorrow, but it was still a great qualifying and a great lap from me. I felt good in the car all weekend, I see a lot of orange and it’s a bit like racing at home for me. I hope to have a good race tomorrow and have fun. The plan is to try to recover, but I don’t know how much we’ll be able to do. The race is long, you can overtake here, hopefully we’ll put on a good show.”
