P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Norris: No regrets on McLaren’s "aggressive" Jeddah F1 strategy call
During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lando Norris decided not to pit during a safety car period triggered by Lance Stroll’s crash, opting for track position instead. This choice briefly placed him in the lead until he was overtaken by Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Charles Leclerc. Norris, along with Lewis Hamilton and others, hoped for a later pit stop opportunity due to another safety car period, which did not materialize. Ultimately, Norris finished eighth after an unplanned earlier pit stop to cover Hamilton’s strategy. Despite the outcome, Norris expressed satisfaction with the team’s decision to take a different approach and be more aggressive in their tactics.
When asked about the decision not to pit, Norris mentioned that while it didn’t yield the desired result, he was content with the attempt to try something unconventional. He acknowledged that following Hamilton’s strategy by switching to soft tires was necessary to defend his position. Despite the challenges posed by the alternative strategy, Norris believed they gave it their best effort under the circumstances. Although he missed out on overtaking a competitor, he praised Ferrari rookie Oliver Bearman’s performance and adaptability in a strong car. Despite a precarious situation at the start, Norris emerged from the race without penalty, evading detection by the FIA stewards’ transponder system.
