P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren has explained that its F1 car becoming “more difficult to drive” was behind the team’s sudden regression in pace in qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix.
McLaren showed strength at Lusail International Circuit with Oscar Piastri leading a 1-2 finish in the Sprint race, as predicted. However, in the main Grand Prix qualifying, Lando Norris and Piastri ended up on the second row. Norris led earlier but trailed Verstappen by two-tenths, who beat Russell’s Mercedes. McLaren’s boss, Andrea Stella, mentioned increased wind unsettled their car, making it harder to drive.
Despite the challenges, McLaren still outperformed Ferrari with Norris and Piastri securing P3 and P4. Stella expressed confidence in the drivers’ calmness under pressure during qualifying. He acknowledged that McLaren not leading wasn’t surprising given competitors’ strong performances, focusing on race pace for the upcoming event. Fans can expect an exciting race based on the competitive Sprint and the overall tight competition.
