P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris secured a second row start for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix after qualifying ahead of both Ferrari drivers.
Lando Norris played down McLaren’s impressive qualifying ahead of Ferrari drivers at the Chinese Grand Prix, not deeming it as “something exceptional.” Both Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with McLaren set to start from fourth and fifth at the Shanghai International Circuit. Norris’ P4 time was just one-tenth quicker than Leclerc’s 1:34.289, highlighting the tight competition behind the Red Bull duo. Despite this, and Ferrari’s usual better race pace compared to McLaren, Norris remains grounded about the qualifying outcome. Norris mentioned the unpredictability of qualifying gaps, citing the slim margins that can swing either way. The Shanghai International Circuit has seen close competition across multiple teams, with Aston Martin and Haas also showing good speed in qualifying. McLaren faces challenges in tyre management and race pace this season, with their strengths lying more in one-lap pace. Norris acknowledges that while qualifying showcases the car well, issues resurface during race day. In this densely competitive field, Norris notes the performance levels of other teams, emphasizing the importance of managing various factors beyond just qualifying pace.
