After a thrilling race for Lando Norris, the red mist ascended upon the British driver. After securing pole position on Saturday ahead of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen by only two-hundredths of a second, the stage for Sunday’s race was set for battle in which many assumed would be a fatal four-way between McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
But instead, we got a one-on-one showdown in a game of strategy between Red Bull’s three-time world champion and the Miami Grand Prix winner.
Lights Out and Away We Go
Embed from Getty ImagesRacing down Turn 1, Lando covered off Verstappen but couldn’t maintain the pressure, as around the outside goes the Mercedes of George Russell – snatching the lead from fourth place. Norris’ fixation turned out to be his downfall on the first lap, losing out to Russell and Verstappen being relegated to third. Now, on the back foot and knowing Verstappen was the target, McLaren’s pursuit would be made harder as on Lap 3, and with the aid of DRS, Verstappen dispatched the Mercedes driver for the lead of the Grand Prix. This left Norris to overtake Mercedes to keep his winning aspirations alive. However, the McLaren crew had another strategic manoeuvre in mind.
First Round of Pit Stops
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the first round of pit stops, Mercedes pulled the pin and brought in Russell for a brand-new set of Medium tyres at the end of lap 15 – along with Carlos Sainz. However, a slow stop by the Mercedes crew was nearly an opportunity for Ferrari to capitalise. For Norris, being stuck behind Russell became costly as Max was able to open up a five-second gap. A gap that gave the Flying Dutchman the upper hand. Two laps later, Red Bull responded to the threat of Russell in pitting Max, but was this cover-off by Red Bull on McLaren’s agenda? No. McLaren aimed to have fresher tyres for the middle stint. Therefore, Lando Norris pitted on Lap 23, having a 6-lap offset to Max. An offset that proves crucial to the quest of chasing down Max Verstappen.
Lando Norris’ Charge
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter pitting, Norris’ challenge now was to overtake Sainz and both Mercedes drivers on track for the bid to chase the Raging Bull. By Lap 27, Norris had little resistance in overtaking the Spaniard down to Turn 1. Next on the list was the Silver Arrow of Lewis Hamilton, just two seconds up the road. However, with Russell ahead of Hamilton, Mercedes worked in unison to ensure that Lando’s overtake against Lewis Hamilton would be difficult. And for five laps, the Papaya coloured driver was stuck behind the seven-time world champion. But it did not halt Norris’ charge. Passing the final corner and down the start/finish straight, Norris was under three-tenths behind Hamilton. DRS was wide open, and Norris stormed past. The next target for Lando is George Russell.
Lando Norris Verses George Russell
Embed from Getty ImagesThree laps and Norris was stuck behind the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix winner. Norris lunged for the outside but could not take Russell into Turn 1. But Russell compromised his line going to Turns 2 and 3, allowing the McLaren to swoop around the outside and get the move done. But Russell would not let it go that easy. The Mercedes dived on the inside into Turn 4, keeping it a side-by-side contest. Heading down to Turn 5, George chose a tighter line, allowing Norris to switch back, racing down to Turn 6 and finally getting ahead of the Mercedes before Turn 7. But again, this battle with Mercedes would prove costly to Lando’s charge.
The Hunt for Verstappen
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter getting past Russell, Lando Norris had only one car between him and victory. Max Verstappen. However, another problem lies ahead. By lap 36, the McLaren driver was 9.4 seconds down—another hurdle in Norris’ fight. By lap 44, the gap had been closed to 4.4 seconds, but Red Bull would pull the pin, pitting Max for the final time in the race for a brand-new set of Soft tyres. Would McLaren respond? Not until lap 47. Pitting for their final race stop for a set of used Soft tyres. Exiting the pit lane, he stays ahead of George Russell, who had pitted earlier for a set of Hard tyres. With 18 laps to go, the fight for the win between Verstappen and Norris was on. Eight seconds ahead, can Norris close the gap down in time?
Taking the Chequered Flag
Embed from Getty ImagesThe charge from Lando Norris was exceptional. But not enough. Closing the gap down from eight seconds to two was a strong performance, but Max Verstappen took the chequered flag to win the Spanish Grand Prix. While Max felt the car wasn’t the quickest all weekend, he felt relieved that the Raging Bull fended off the Papaya orange of the McLaren. As Lando made his thoughts clear at the post-race press conference talking to David Coulthard:
David Coulthard: “Lando, what’s two seconds between friends? Well, it’s the difference between victory and seconds. We heard on the team radio there that this is a race that you feel you could have won.”
Lando Norris: “Not could, should have done. I got a bad start, simple as that. The car was incredible today. I think we were, for sure, the quickest. I just lost it in the beginning. So, yeah, disappointed. But a lot of positives, one negative, and that kind of ruined everything. I know that. I can just work on it for next time.”
Conclusion
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the eyes of Lando Norris, his frustration is justified. The young British feel adamant that the win was there for the taking. He couldn’t help that the start became his misfortune, and staying behind the Mercedes of George Russell became the crucial point where the race was lost as Lando lost five seconds. Five seconds would’ve paid dividends in the final stint of the Grand Prix.
While Red Bull celebrated, McLaren could only commiserate on their efforts. But that did not stop Lando from firing up to win another Grand Prix. As one-third of the Formula 1 triple header weekend has been concluded, Norris made his feelings known that tracks such as Austria and Silverstone, which are his favourite tracks, are where he can take the challenge to Red Bull and Max Verstappen.
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Spanish Grand Prix: The Crucible of Barcelona” and “The “Four Horseman” of Formula 1 so far in 2024.”
Image Credit: Deposit Photos