McLaren Disappoints in Sprint Qualifying: "We were fast at the wrong times"

We were expecting them so much that a 3rd place is ultimately synonymous with disappointment for McLarenThe British team failed to place one of its two cars on the front row in Sprint Qualifying, despite being the favorite in Shanghai. A week after their domination in Australia, a few hours after the fastest time – and by far – of Lando Norris During EL1, the Papayes seemed to be in a strong position to secure a double this Friday, during the first qualifying session of the weekend... it failed.

In SQ3, neither Lando Norris nor Oscar piastri were unable to beat the time of Lewis Hamilton, surprising poleman in the Shanghai Sprint. While the Australian missed out by just 80 of a second, the Briton aborted his final attempt due to a failed braking in the final hairpin, at the end of the straight. These errors cost the British team dearly. The result: a 3rd place for the Aussie, a 6th place for the Englishman, and bitterness on the McLaren side, which failed at the worst possible moment.

"I think we were quick at the wrong times, unfortunately, said Oscar Piastri after the Sprint qualifications. SQ1 and SQ2 went well, and then in QS3 we tried something a little bit different by going out a lot earlier and trying to do two laps, which wasn't the best thing to do in the end, but I think it's something we need to look at. But I think the pace of the car is still very strong, and I'm still confident to fight from third place."

Norris trapped by the wind

Lando Norris, the fastest driver in both FP1 and SQ2, explained that he was hampered by the gusts of wind on the Shanghai track, which caused him to lose his braking points, particularly at the end of the long straight. "I made a mistake, I locked [a wheel] in the last corner, recognized the winner of the Australian Grand PrixWe just struggled a little bit more today. We just weren't quick enough, I struggled a lot with the car. The difficulties we had were more evident today, but it's nothing more, honestly. There were too many mistakes, but the car was too difficult to drive.

"Throughout the day we had a bit of trouble with the front end locking up and we had a lot of trouble in the last corner with the wind. It's a bit like Bahrain, which is to say very windy, compared Lando Norris, who admits to trying to compensate for his lack of stability by oversteeringWhen the wind blows, we have a lot more trouble. Oscar and I had more trouble, clearly me more than him. So I pushed a little harder to try to make up for the fact that I wasn't fast enough."

McLaren still favorite?

McLaren drivers can rest assured, however: despite their starting position being further back than expected, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will remain the big favorites for the Sprint on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday, as McLaren's pace still seems to be above the rest in China. “It’s more me than the car, said Lando Norris, confident of being able to return to the front positions over the rest of the weekend. I can't make the car perfect, but I tried to push it a little bit too far. So, I just need to relax a little bit and not try to push as much. I think the car is still good, in a good window, maybe not a good enough one for pole, but yeah, we can definitely move forward."

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