Lando Norris was threatening to nick pole position off Max Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale but on his final flying lap in Q3, he suffered a large slide through the final sector. This left Norris to rely on his earlier banker effort, which was only good enough for fifth place while rookie team-mate Oscar Piastri – who also battled big spikes of oversteer in practice – ran to …
Lando Norris of McLaren was aiming for pole position in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, trying to snatch it away from Max Verstappen. However, on his final flying lap during the third session of qualifying (Q3), Norris encountered a large slide through the final sector of the track. This unfortunate incident meant that Norris had to depend on his earlier banker effort, which only secured him the fifth-place position.
Challenges for Norris and Piastri
Oscar Piastri, a rookie driver from McLaren, faced similar difficulties as Norris did during his practice sessions. Piastri also battled with oversteer and struggled with large spikes in his performance. Both drivers had to navigate these challenges in order to secure favorable positions in the Grand Prix.
Unfortunately, Norris was unable to overcome these challenges and fell short of potentially taking pole position away from Verstappen. His earlier lap, which he had set as a safety net, placed him in fifth position instead.
Looking ahead for McLaren
Following the issues faced by both Norris and Piastri, McLaren will need to investigate whether recent upgrades to their Formula 1 car have introduced unfavorable handling traits. The team must analyze their findings in order to address any potential lapses in performance and ensure a stronger showing in future races. McLaren’s focus will be on honing their car’s handling capabilities to provide their drivers with the best chances for success.