Lando Norris had an amusing answer when asked what went wrong during his pit stop at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Briton had qualified P14 behind team-mate Daniel Ricciardo in ninth after suffering engine problems in Q2, and the British side double stacked their drivers 19 laps into the race when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed.
Having just serviced the Australian’s car, the pit crew did not have the tyres ready for Norris’ stop, so the 22-year-old was held in the box.
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Asked what went wrong, Norris gave a fairly matter of fact response.
“There were no tyres which is a problem, because you need tyres to run a car,” he said in the media pen.
On a more serious note, the British side lacked fundamental pace last weekend, and Norris would come home P15 with Ricciardo in 11th as they walked away scoreless.
The six-time podium finisher affirmed that there is work to be done to improve the team’s fortunes.
“Very [frustrating] because a lot of effort goes in, but from everyone,” Norris explained.
“Today, we just didn’t have the package, the car, the straight-line speed… I mean [it’s] always tough from 14th, struggling around with some cars, honestly, we shouldn’t be racing against.
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“But at the same time, we have to make the most of it and, one of the biggest factors was we just couldn’t overtake, simple as that.
“And therefore, I’m just stuck behind slower cars and you just can’t do anything from then on so, tough day.
“Not a lot to smile about, but a lot of work to do.”
McLaren are fourth in the Constructors’ Standings after nine rounds of the season, eight points clear of Alpine.
The French side enjoyed a slightly better Sunday afternoon in Montreal, with Esteban Ocon coming home P6 ahead of ninth-placed Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard qualified P2 in a wet qualifying, but fell back as a result of engine issues, ill-time Virtual Safety Cars and a time penalty for weaving on the straight to defend from Valtteri Bottas.