‘Stupid mistake’ deprives Norris, McLaren front-row start

ABU DHABI — Lando Norris was blamed for the mistake that cost him several grid positions during Sunday’s Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The McLaren driver looked capable of setting a time to secure a place alongside or ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the front row, but a slide at Turn 14 cost him time and left him fifth on the grid .

Norris admitted he was responsible for the error and said it was typical of his recent qualifying performances.

“I don’t know if it’s [the lap] Maybe it was good enough for P1, but I don’t think it would have been P1 – but I don’t care, if you make a mistake in qualifying, when you’re fighting for a good position, it’s is frustrating,” Norris said.

“But the problem is I make so many mistakes on a Saturday at the minute. Every other lap was one of my best laps. My first lap in Q3 was very good, it’s only ‘a little mistake, I don’t know why.’ This happened, I haven’t done this all weekend.

“It’s just frustrating, I’m just doing a damn job on Saturday.”

Asked if he was too hard on himself, Norris added: “Not at all. I should have been P2, and I find myself P5 because of a stupid mistake. I’m too lenient with myself.”

The McLaren driver was reluctant to put the blame on his car or the team.

“The pace is there, it’s been there all weekend since the first lap we did in FP2. I’m convinced the team has done a great job, there are some things we could have done differently in qualifying.

“But it’s my turn to take a turn, and it’s something I don’t seem very capable of doing on a Saturday at the moment. So it’s a shame.”