P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren "surprised" by China F1 race pace after sprint struggles
McLaren’s Lando Norris had a challenging start in the sprint race, starting from pole but dropping to seventh after going off track, eventually finishing sixth due to Alonso’s retirement. Despite McLaren’s subdued expectations, Norris showcased impressive race pace on Sunday by finishing second, splitting the Red Bulls. Teammate Oscar Piastri faced setbacks, finishing eighth after sustaining diffuser damage in a safety car collision between Ricciardo and Stroll. McLaren team boss Stella attributed Norris’s success to cooler track conditions that helped manage rear tire overheating and optimize car strengths. Piastri’s ability to adapt and defend positions despite rear downforce loss was commended, highlighting McLaren’s overall strong performance on Sunday.
