Lando Norris laments error that cost chance to attack Charles Leclerc

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Norris laments error that cost chance to attack Leclerc

Norris will start Saturday's sprint third

Sam Hall

Friday 22 April 2022 20:50

Lando Norris has claimed he could have challenged Charles Leclerc for a front-row position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix sprint had it not been for an individual error late in Q3.

Norris caused the fifth and final red flag of a dramatic qualifying session at Imola after losing control of his McLaren and nudging the wall at Acque Minerali.

Despite this, Norris remained upbeat about his session after qualifying third for Saturday's 100km sprint race, the result of which will set the grid for Sunday's grand prix.

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Explaining his issues, Norris told Sky Sports: "I would have liked to have got that last lap in because we didn't do a lap where we were at full power with a full battery.

"The lap I did at the beginning of Q3 was a 'two-consecutive' and when you do two consecutive, you have to split the battery 50-50 per cent.

"So if I managed to get a lap at the end which was 100 per cent battery, there was a good three-four tenths left in it.

"I'm sure Charles would have improved as well but if he didn't and had of made a mistake then I could have got him.

"There was maybe that little chance to do even better and score a second-place today but it didn't happen because of the mistake I made at the end so I have to be happy enough with third.

"Honestly, it's a very good result for us so I'm taking it."

McLaren "fine" despite crash

Numerous drivers made the trip across the gravel at Acque Minerali during the rain-affected qualifying session but Norris was one of the few to actually kiss the wall.

Despite the contact, he confirmed: "Somehow it's fine.

"It's a shame it ended like that but a good position for tomorrow."