Norris left 'crapping himself' thanks to “drift school” birthday present

Lando Norris has revealed to receiving an unexpected 21st birthday present courtesy of a slippery Istanbul Park circuit that gave him a chance to try out Formula 1's version of "drift school.”

The Briton declared on Thursday that driving an F1 car would make him “happy enough” on his birthday but the lack of grip on a resurfaced track on Friday led to treacherous conditions that threatened to spoil his day.

Most drivers were left complaining but after the two practice sessions a happy Norris said: “It was a fun day. It was drift school. That was my birthday present. It was nice.

“It’s tricky in an F1 car, a lot of power, a lot of downforce and most laps you’re crapping yourself a bit, especially the high-speed turn eight. It was tricky, but it is also a lot of fun.”

Norris’ team-mate Carlos Sainz said it was the “strangest Friday session I have done in my life” and although he admitted it was “a good challenge” he was astonished by how slow the cars were.

“We were expecting here a 1.22 lap time and this morning we were doing a 1.45 and that shows how tricky it was,” said the Spaniard, who lost part of the first practice session due to an electrical problem

“It was not ideal to lose those laps because it’s a new track for me and tricky conditions. I did turn 8 flat, so it just shows you how quick and amazing these cars would be without this problem we are having on the surface.”

Before you go...

"Shocking" Turkish practice "more like rallycross than F1" - Gasly

Leclerc - Slipping and sliding around Turkey track is "fun"

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

• Yesterday 22:57

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

• Yesterday 21:57

F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

• Yesterday 21:14

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

• Yesterday 20:28

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

• Yesterday 19:43

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

• Yesterday 18:57