Lando Norris, happy pole sitter: “I have never found myself in such a complicated session”

In an SQ3 disturbed by rain, Lando Norris was the best when it came to finding grip on a track that was devoid of grip. If Charles Leclerc et Max Verstappen for example, made a mistake, the Briton never trembled to go for a magnificent pole sprint... in the confusion!

After scraping the pole Lewis Hamilton, Lando first saw his time canceled for going wide in the last turn before his pole lap. The race management therefore in fact applied the regulations to the letter at first by withdrawing his time, before reinstating it, aware that the Englishman had in no way benefited from the crime (on the contrary, he was even slowed down by gravels).

Lando Norris surprised by his pace

At the microphone a few minutes after the session, the pilot McLaren was in any case absolutely delighted, he who was expecting a difficult weekend. “I am extremely happy, he assured. It was complicated. I had never found myself in such a complicated session. I was already happy with our pace in the dry. We had to take risks in SQ3, attack, try to heat up the tires. It was hard" he explained.

Before specifying: “I had a lot of fun. I'm happy with this pole even if it's not a qualification in its own right. We only had three laps to make up the time. I thought the last time would be decisive, and despite aquaplanning and small errors, it happened!” Enough to look forward to Saturday's sprint race (5 a.m.) with delight.

“We tried to do consecutive laps in FP1 to see the race pace… it will depend on the weather because there is still a risk of rain. The race is always different from qualifying. Some will come back tomorrow. Our pace is good, it’s a surprise, but we did a good job.” 

ALSO READ > In the rain, Lando Norris takes the sprint pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton!