Lando Norris (McLaren): “That was a tough race” / Formula 1

Lando Norris crossed the finish line well ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri in the race at the Suzuka Circuit. While the young Australian had to settle for 8th place, Norris crossed the finish line in fifth place. However, the ambitious Brit was not satisfied with the results. Because he was able to face the fourth power test of the season from 3rd position on the second row of the grid.

Only two Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez drove ahead of him. But unlike the pole setter and his stablemate, Norris did not have the necessary speed to stay ahead. He explained after the end of the GP: “It was a difficult race because our speed was not enough. I think we saw the old balance of power here again, with Red Bull Racing at the top ahead of Ferrari, that’s where we will come from.”

“It doesn’t feel good when you start third and then go back. It felt like a losing battle. Other guys have more options, for example they can extend their periods. But we made the most of our chances and that’s all we could do,” shouted the one-year-old 24.

And Norris praised Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, who stopped just once after an early red flag: “Charles did a good job and kept his tires alive for a long time. We probably focused on a bad driver and if we had done a better job then maybe we would have placed four. But that’s always difficult in the current heat.”

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0