P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris’s major moment on his final Abu Dhabi GP qualifying lap cost him the chance to improve – and, he felt, a lot more too. Did he really blow his shot at beating Max Verstappen to pole? Mark Hughes looks at the data – and finds the reality is nuanced
can’t be definitive about it, but it’s possible. It’s clear that Norris had the potential to challenge Verstappen for pole position, but his mistake in the final sector cost him valuable time. The track conditions at Yas Marina also played a role, as tyre management was crucial. Verstappen suffered from front tyre issues, while McLaren struggled with rear tyre limitations. Despite the setbacks, both drivers showed great potential and it will be interesting to see how they perform in the race.
