Lando Norris will start the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix with 53 laps from fourth position. Despite a challenging start to the day, he is pleased with his performance in qualifying. What Norris may have lost during the sprint race, he made up for during the main qualifying session. While the British driver secured fourth place, Fernando Alonso ended up ahead of him in third position.
Norris gained a position during the Shanghai sprint race thanks to Alonso, who unfortunately had to retire from the race at the end due to a tire puncture. However, Alonso did not miss the opportunity to redeem himself during the main qualifying session. When asked about the matter, Lando Norris had the following to say:
«I am very pleased with today’s result. It’s usually very close between Fernando and me, sometimes with just a two-hundredth of a second difference. There is a very small margin in car performance.»
McLaren secured sixth and seventh positions during the Shanghai sprint race, and in qualifying, they managed to secure fourth and fifth positions. Overall, it was a successful day for the McLaren team for several reasons. Additionally, the British driver will have the opportunity to secure a spot on the podium during the 53-lap Chinese Grand Prix tomorrow.
The seven-time world champion started the sprint race alongside pole position Lando Norris. During the first lap, Norris went off track and dropped to sixth position. When the lights went out, Hamilton was on the inside line and managed to hold his position. However, Norris refused to give up and ended up going off track.
When asked about the incident by the press, Hamilton added the following remarks:
«Got second place in the Shanghai sprint race just behind the Red Bull driver. Unfortunately, my performance in qualifying was disappointing, and I will start the Chinese Grand Prix from eighteenth position. On the other hand, Norris will start from the second row. Many eyes will be on the two British drivers for various reasons.»
