Promising signs for Lando with two massive weeks to come.

“It was a positive day in hot conditions. It was difficult to get the perfect balance, but overall, I felt comfortable with the car. We’re in good shape with some things to improve overnight. It’s super-close out there, like we’ve seen in the last few weeks, so, it’s about the smaller things and trying to get everything together”, stated the Brit.

The qualifying was close as expected with the top six were covered by 0.35s but places P3 to P6 were all within 0.035s. Lando knew that he just needed a perfect lap and he did it, 

securing him the pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Championship leader Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in third.

“We've been close all weekend, but really this was just about a perfect lap and that's what I did”, confessed a very satisfied Lando Norris, who scored his second F1 pole in his career. “It’s a great feeling, it's not just this weekend. We've been quick the last two months. Since Miami, we've been very strong. And we probably missed out on a pole by just not doing a perfect lap. Regarding the qualifying at Montmeno, we made some changes for the final run. I had some little places to improve, and I did exactly that. So, I am super happy to be back in front”.

“We have achieved important milestones recently”, explained team principal Andrea Stella, “but the pole position was still one of those achievements that had eluded us. It’s good that we could confirm the progress of the team, and of the car, with this pole position. A great drive by Lando, he drove Qualifying faultlessly and, when it counted, put together one of the best laps of his career”.

The field proved to be very tight and as Lando admitted converting that pole into a race win was the number 1 target and that “It's all about making the least mistakes”, Lando said, adding: “between Mercedes, us, Red Bull, Ferrari, there's eight cars that could have probably been on pole on Saturday and that have a chance of probably winning the race. So it's about making the least mistakes, and just trying to execute another good race that we normally do. Regarding Barcelona, it’s a long run down to Turn 1 so it's probably one of the places you don't want to start on pole, but it's an opportunity for us”. 

As expected, start proved to be crucial: that famed 594 metre run to Turn 1 ultimately determined who would come out on top. As Verstappen and battled out for first place, Russel was able to take advantage gaining the lead through the first corner after a blistering start from P4. Russel wouldn’t stay in the lead for long however, as we were passed by a flying Verstappen.

Norris responded to the poor start to the race by delaying his first stop, but the strategy didn’t help him in the end. Verstappen controlled the lead throughout the race, with Norris gradually moving into second place. The McLaren driver even caught Verstappen late on but there was no drama as the race ended. 

“A frustrating start, simple as that. I lost a little bit to Max, he wasn’t completely alongside but with George on the outside, I didn’t have room to manoeuvre and that had me over”, said the Brit from the second spot of the podium. “It’s disappointing, but there are still a lot of positives to take away from Barcelona. We come away with a lot of points and the car was amazing. I think we were the quickest out there, so a big thanks to the entire team for their efforts throughout the weekend”.

“But fair play to Red Bull and Max, that’s another job done for them. I don’t care what position it is. It’s the gap to first, which I care about and that was bigger, so I’m frustrated because I didn’t just lose a race to someone. I just lost it to Max and he’s the leader of the championship”.

“We were the quickest car. Fact. So, the team deserved it. From start to finish, we were the quickest. With the overtaking, with the following, with the dirty air, that cost me the win. I just didn’t do a good enough job. Simple as that. I need Max to not finish second or be as good as he’s doing at the minute, but he’s doing a good job, so I can’t fault him. I think we have what we need. I have what I need, the team have what they need. I think we have the good car. We still need to improve on some things and I’m confident we can.”

Much like last week’s race, second place no longer feels like a victory for Lando and the team, “it was a good weekend, but it is not enough. We were fighting for the championship, to score wins, and I cannot lose occasions like here in Barcelona”.

Now second in the championship, Norris and the McLaren team look confidently ahead: “We’re now focusing on Austria and Silverstone, two of my favorite circuits and tracks where we have a good record, so I’m excited. We’re in a good spot and doing well each week, I just need to tidy up a few little bits in the upcoming races.”