Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Lando Norris’ Suspension Incident Highlights Competitive Challenges
In a dramatic session fraught with setbacks, Lando Norris experienced significant suspension damage during FP2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ultimately retiring his McLaren with just seven laps completed. The incident occurred as Norris, currently 31 points adrift in the championship race, was pushing on soft tires, understeering into Turn 4 and slapping the rear-left wheel against the barrier.
“I’d rather have this and push and find the limits than not push at all,” Norris stated, emphasizing his commitment to maximizing performance despite the risks. He acknowledged the importance of testing limits, especially in a tight championship context, and lamented missing the opportunity to perform a long-run simulation on the new Pirelli C6 tires.
“A costly one, especially here,” Norris remarked. “I would’ve liked to have got some high-fuel laps in… The track is very different from last year. It’s quite a bit quicker, and it’s a softer compound, which we don’t use that often.”
Teammate Oscar Piastri also faced difficulties, losing crucial time due to a barrier tap at Turn 15 and a lock-up at Turn 2. “Certainly I’m behind on the learnings now,” Norris noted, highlighting a shared struggle within the team. Piastri echoed this sentiment, stating, “The pace is there, it’s just not the easiest to get the most out of it at the moment.”
As the McLaren team gears up for qualifying, Norris anticipates stiff competition from Ferrari and Red Bull, acknowledging their quick adaptations. “I expect a challenge from at least three cars tomorrow,” he concluded, setting the stage for a competitive showdown ahead.
