Lando Norris mentioned he put in a sub-par efficiency after qualifying fifth for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver will begin from fourth place following Max Verstappen’s penalty, which stays his lowest grid place because the Monaco Grand Prix. He mentioned he was glad with the consequence however admitted he hasn’t been acting at his finest.
“It was robust however I’m truthfully fairly proud of at this time,” Norris advised the official F1 channel. “I believe ultimately, me and Oscar have been cut up by half a tenth or one thing. Clearly we have been missing evaluating to the vehicles forward. Particularly the Purple Bull – the Purple Bull is on one other degree evaluating to us within the rain and even the dry they have been in all probability nonetheless a bit stronger.
“So a troublesome day. I anticipated worse, and I’ve not been driving significantly properly. Simply a kind of days the place it’s simply not clicking. Form of just like yesterday, truthfully, just a bit little bit of a wrestle on the market for me. So to salvage P5, I used to be fairly proud of that.”
Norris will begin behind Charles Leclerc, who inherited pole place from Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton. He predicted he and Verstappen will meet on monitor through the race, however expects the set-up decisions McLaren have made will assist them.
“We’re in a great place, however bear in mind Purple Bull on pole [sic], and so they’re clearly the quickest,” he mentioned. “So it’ll be robust.
“Max goes to return by way of, I believe, fairly rapidly. I’m most definitely going to be combating him for the win.
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“However I’m hoping with perhaps a barely decrease downforce setting that we selected at this time, it comes again into our favour.
Norris’ group mate Oscar Piastri, who will begin instantly behind him in fifth place, additionally believes McLaren “can nonetheless struggle for the win tomorrow.”
“I believe our tempo was very sturdy yesterday within the dry and it’s wanting like a dry race tomorrow. Clearly beginning a little bit bit additional again makes life a bit extra tough, however I nonetheless suppose we’re in first rate form to struggle for a win.”
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