After a thrilling qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lando Norris of McLaren expressed disappointment over “too many mistakes” on his final lap, despite securing a commendable third position on the grid.
The team had entered the weekend with uncertainties about their recent major upgrade package’s performance on the low-to-medium-speed Hungaroring configuration.
However, their doubts were dispelled as McLaren locked out the second row, showcasing their podium-winning form from Silverstone.
During the intense Q3 session, Norris was closely trailing Max Verstappen, the initial table-topper.
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However, both drivers were ultimately outpaced by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who snatched pole position in the dying moments of qualifying.
Norris finished a mere 0.085 seconds behind the reigning champion, leaving him with a sense of frustration over the missed opportunity.
“I am disappointed,” Norris candidly admitted.
“If you are within a tenth of pole, it feels like you should be on pole if you put the lap together.”
The young Briton acknowledged that the team had done an excellent job throughout the weekend, leading to their competitive showing.
Still, as a driver, he couldn’t help but dwell on the mistakes that cost him precious time during his final qualifying effort.
Reflecting on his performance, Norris highlighted the challenge of putting together a perfect lap under intense pressure.
“There are always little things,” he said.
“Just putting the lap together… it wasn’t the cleanest, there is always an element of risk involved when trying to push a little bit more.”
Despite the frustration, Norris remained positive, acknowledging that there was only a small margin separating him from pole position.
“I don’t know how much it was between me and P1 but there was definitely a tenth in it,” he added.
“Frustrating but P3 is a good position, so still a good day.”
McLaren’s performance over the weekend showcased the progress they’ve made with their upgraded package.
The team’s ability to compete with the front-runners on a circuit known for its unique challenges brought confidence and excitement ahead of Sunday’s race.
Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, also had a strong showing, securing the fourth spot on the grid.
Together, they ensured a second-row lockout for McLaren, setting the stage for a compelling battle in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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Norris ultimately finished in P2, while Oscar Piastri went backwards after an initial promising spell and finished the race in P5 for McLaren.
With their upgrades working so well, it seems McLaren will score plenty more podiums before the end of the year.