Lando Norris qualified P3 for the Hungarian GP, but is looking to go forward during the race after a disappointing qualifying.
Norris qualified behind teammate Oscar Piastri in P2, while Charles Leclerc took a surprise pole position. On Friday, Norris spoke of having more chance of a pole position. However, McLaren struggled through Q3, losing time on a Q2 lap which would have secured the team a one-two start.
Speaking to the media, Norris acknowledged the great effort of Leclerc to secure pole, but admitted that P3 is a disappointment for him.
Norris on a disappointing qualifying result
Leclerc came from out of nowhere to snatch pole from Norris and Piastri. Norris was the pre-weekend favourite heading to the Hungaroring, given he had a perfect H2H record against his teammates here. The Briton admitted that losing out on pole was a disappointment, but praised the effort of Leclerc.
“From how our form is, of course. But I think Charles did a good job on the last lap, probably risked a little bit more in these conditions. The wind changed a lot and really seemed to punish us in a bigger way. So, I mean, not too many complaints. We thought we both did some good laps at the end, and we were just slow. Nothing to complain of, but Charles did a good job.”
On where his qualifying went downhill
McLaren looked set to dominate the weekend, having bossed all three practice sessions and the early stages of qualifying. However, both drivers lost time in Q3 and Norris has addressed where his session went wrong.
“Q2 felt very good, felt confident to improve. So, into Q3, aiming for a similar lap time, similar limits, and just felt pretty dreadful. The wind has such big effects on the car when you’re driving. It’s quite easy for it to be half a second swing. So yeah, frustrating because we definitely seem to have a good gap, but in Q3 it seemed to drift away from us as a team more than it did for others.”
Norris looking forward to the Hungarian GP
The pace of the McLaren through this weekend so far will bode well for the team’s hopes during the Hungarian GP. Norris finished P2 at the Hungaroring in 2023 and 2024, but is looking to go one step better this year.
“I want to go forward and I want to win. I think it’s going to be an exciting race. I would expect us to have a bit more pace than Charles, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Rain could be on the cards for Sunday’s Hungarian GP. With this in mind, Norris expanded on the threat of Leclerc, but hoped that rain will be helping McLaren on Sunday.
“Could be some rain, which normally makes things more interesting. But I think we always have, at least in the race, a bit more of an advantage. But our main competitor over the last four, five races has been Charles and it’s been the Ferrari. So, if there was anyone else that’s going to be on pole today, it was going to be Charles. And if there’s anyone that’s going to make our life tough tomorrow, it’s going to be the same guy. So yeah, we’ll see. It’s a long race, things can happen, and hopefully the rain can be on our side maybe.”
