Apologetic Lando Norris "ready to race" after heavy qualifying crash

Belgian Grand Prix

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Apologetic Norris "ready to race" after heavy qualifying crash

Norris crashed at the start of Q3 at Spa Francorchamps

Sam Hall

Saturday 28 August 2021 22:30

Lando Norris has declared himself "ready to race" and apologised to his McLaren team for the late night of repair work it now faces after his qualifying crash in Belgium.

Norris crashed in the opening minutes of Q3 as the torrential rain fell over Spa Francorchamps.

The 21-year-old was taken to hospital for a "precautionary x-ray" on his elbow but has since been passed fit to race in Sunday's grand prix.

"I have been better but I am good," said Norris. "I think just a bit bruised.

"Obviously, it was quite a big impact and my body has been thrown around a bit.

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"I am good and ready to race for tomorrow and want to get back on track already because it didn't end the way I wanted it to."

Norris had topped both Q1 and Q2 in mixed conditions and assessed: "The car was on fire.

"Q1 and Q2 were extremely good and I think I could have quite easily have fought for pole but I have now given the team a lot of work to do and probably a very late night but not a lot I can do now."

Belgian GP safety improvements are needed

Prior to a string of incidents at Eau Rouge-Raidillon across the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Spa Francorchamps had already committed to making safety upgrades in this area of the circuit.

Although Norris believes the changes would not have prevented his accident, he is confident the effect of his off would have been reduced.

"Safety is at the top of every list nowadays and rightly so," he explained.

"I think today, my crash showed and of course, I have a few bruises, but that is it compared to many years ago, it could have been a lot worse.

"I think there has been sadly too many things going on in such a corner.

"Of course, we love keeping things the same, we love the historic part of Spa but in terms of safety, there have been so many crashes lately and over the past few years which have led to many bad things happening which we obviously don't want.

"I think it is the safety for everyone and maybe it wouldn't have avoided my crash today but it maybe wouldn't have been as bad.

"I think they are doing what they are doing, the FIA and everyone who is putting it together are doing what they can to make sure it is as safe for everyone and that is extremely important."