Norris had a satisfying weekend in China, with a strong performance in the Sprint Race, where he secured pole position, and a second place in the main race, behind Verstappen.
During the Grand Prix, Norris qualified in fourth place, ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri. He took advantage of a Safety Car situation and comfortably finished in second place, overtaking Sergio Perez in the process.
In McLaren’s post-race report, Norris expressed his gratitude to the entire team, stating that they deserved the success. He praised the team’s solid pit stops and the excellent performance of the car. Norris admitted he did not expect such a strong race, but felt comfortable throughout, managing the tires effectively. He concluded by saying it was a pleasant surprise and a testament to the team’s hard work paying off.
On the other hand, Piastri had a more challenging weekend. To make matters worse, he was hit from behind by Daniel Ricciardo, who was pushed back by Lando Stroll’s McLaren. Piastri described the race as tough, struggling in the early part and suffering significant damage during the Safety Car re-entry. Despite the setbacks, he managed to score some points and was pleased with Norris’ podium finish.
Andrea Stella summarized McLaren’s weekend in China, acknowledging they expected difficulties. However, it turned out to be the strongest weekend of the season so far. Stella credited the hard work of the team, both on and off the track, as well as their power unit supplier, Mercedes. He expressed his happiness for everyone involved and thanked the team, partners, and fans. Stella emphasized the need for continuous improvement and hard work to replicate such results in the future, concluding with anticipation for the next race in Miami.
