P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Norris "fighting a losing battle" against quicker Ferrari F1 cars in Japan
Norris qualified near the front-row starting Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez on Saturday. However, on Sunday, it became clear that Norris was mainly battling the cars behind him, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc posing threats. Despite McLaren’s previous success at Suzuka, Norris acknowledged that Ferrari was out of reach this time due to their significant race improvements. Reflecting on the race, Norris admitted it was tough to keep up with faster cars and protect his position against the Ferraris while managing tire wear. Ultimately, Norris accepted finishing behind Ferrari as expected, noting that McLaren had excelled the day before but faced reality on race day. Norris highlighted the strategic decisions, questioning the early pit stop timing and considering alternative approaches that could have improved their chances. He emphasized the importance of analyzing the team’s choices and potentially adjusting their strategies for future races.
