Lando Norris: « I was just praying for one more round »
Lando Norris, winner of his first Grand Prix two weeks ago in Miami, thought he could catch Max Verstappen in the final laps at Imola. Disappointment prevailed, but McLaren was increasingly threatening the Red Bulls.
The Tifosi shifted their hopes of victory onto Lando Norris in the final laps of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Battling with Charles Leclerc for much of the race, he managed to close the gap on Max Verstappen towards the end of the Grand Prix. He finished seven tenths behind the Dutchman.
I was just praying for one more lap. I was praying for someone to say there was one lap left… I don’t know why, but yes, I did everything I could. I was pushing like never before to make it, catch up and have a chance.
Verstappen’s dirty air cost him the victory
If he closed the eight-second gap to the leader in a flash, he hit a plateau of about 1.6 seconds behind Max Verstappen for two laps: one lap too many. As soon as you get within 2 seconds, you start losing grip and traction. The tires start overheating again. I struggled for a few laps, but once I understood how to drive again… On the last lap, I managed to get back to 7 tenths, so one more lap… At least he should have defended himself in the first corner, and maybe something could have happened. But it was one lap too late. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is.
Even if disappointment prevails in the heat of the moment, the two McLaren drivers must tell themselves that they will probably have other opportunities for success in the coming weeks. Maybe as soon as the Monaco Grand Prix next Sunday…
