Lando Norris finished fourth in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. After a failed qualification – his fast lap in Q3 ended in the wall – he had to make up quite a few places from the tenth starting spot. With the help of his highly competitive MCL39, he narrowly missed the podium. Meanwhile, teammate Oscar Piastri won his third Grand Prix of the season and took over the championship lead.
“Yes, it’s the best we could have done,” Lando Norris responded after the race. “It’s a shame to miss a podium finish. Charles (Leclerc) had a good first stint, which gave him a lead in the second phase of the race. We didn’t have the speed in the tires to keep up with him. I just need to help myself and have better Saturdays.” Norris also regretted a failed qualification during the previous Bahrain Grand Prix; in Sakhir, he clocked the sixth time.
“We struggle on circuits like this, where a lot of DRS is used,” Norris continued. “We don’t have the advantages that other teams do. That being said, I’m not making it easy for myself.” After leading the championship for four Grands Prix, Lando Norris now loses the top spot to teammate Oscar Piastri. An interesting detail – Piastri and Norris have now both won five Grands Prix in Formula 1. The Australian has raced a total of 51 races, the Brit 133.
