Lando Norris admits he “couldn’t make it count” in rare Max Verstappen battle at Sao Paulo GP

Lando Norris admitted he couldn’t capitalise on his one opportunity to overtake Max Verstappen at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
(L to R): Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in parc ferme with second placed Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren.
(L to R): Race winner Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in parc ferme with second placed…

Norris made a storming start from sixth on the grid, quickly moving up to second𝓡 after a chaotic opening lap.

Soon after the race resumed following the red flag stoppage, Norris♔ was able to pressure Verstappen for the race lead.

𝓰The McLaren driver looked to pass Verstappen into Turn 1 and then on the subsequent DRS straight but couldn't get through.

It was ultimately Norris’ only chance to pass the Red Bull driver as he dropped to over two seconds behind in the subsequent lap🥀s.

Reflecting on the battle with Verstappen, he said: “I got a very good start, the opposite of yesterday. That saved me. I don’t know what happened to Charles, I saw he had an issue. It w꧋ould have good to race everyone, but at the same time the less people I can race, the 🦋better!

“To start well and get into P2, I was like: ‘Ooh! We can have a tasty one here, with Max!’ I tried. It was my first opportunity.꧃ I had one, an༺d couldn’t make it count.

“We’re positive to be up there, fighting in these positions. A big gap to everyone behind us. It feels good in the car🦩. It’s a bit lonely, a race like this! You are still smiling the whole way, still pushing.”

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 21,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1…

It was Norris’ sixth second-place of F1 2023 as he moved ahead of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Carlos Sainz in the championship.

Norris conceded McLaren’s impressive ▨pace is surprising the whole team given that they expected to struggle in Mexico and Brazil.

“I’m very happy with the whole weekend,” he added. “The pace has꧒ been very strong. Again coming into a race weekend, we weren’t expecting to be performing atꦇ this level. It’s a very good surprise for all of us.

“Here and Mexico, we said these are the two trackꦫs where we will struggle. We’ve come out of them a lot better than expected. It’s a big positive for the 🅰whole team and for myself to know this.

“It doesn’t seem like there are any bad tracks for us, at the ♏moment. Vegas is always unknown for everyone. It was close to a perfect weekend - not quite but as close as it gets.”

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