In Sprint race in Spielberg the pilot of the McLaren goes up the third step of the podium. Norris wastes some opportunities and stays with thebitterness in the mouth when his partner overtakes him, gaining second place in the "mini race", but his head is already turned to afternoon qualifying of the Austrian GP.
Austrian GP qualifying: Norris second behind Verstappen
Since the departure of the Sprint, English comes worried from the vision in the teammate's mirrors Oscar Piastres. On lap 5, Norris pulls the brake on Verstappen overtaking him, but the Red Bull driver returns the pass one corner later. Piastri takes advantage of the brawl between the two to get close to #4 and overtake him a few moments later. Lando finishes the race behind Oscar, in one third position bitter sweet.
In the afternoon, for Norris - and for all the riders - it is time to reset what happened and focus on qualifying for the Austrian GP. Both single-seaters of the Woking team conclude the first two cuts a little undertone, then light up in Q3. Norris marks the second half, so he will leave tomorrow from the second pitch flanked by Max Verstappen – just like in the Sprint race.
“It will take something more to beat Max”
Interviewed at the end of qualifying for the Austrian GP, Lando Norris said: "I'm happy. In much more complicated and more extreme conditions than yesterday it was difficult to put the tour together and refine it, but it went pretty well”. When asked if the experience of starting alongside Verstappen in the Sprint could help him in Sunday's race, he states: “It's hard because if we look at today's step it's clear that we will need something more to be able to beat Max's pace".
He then continues saying: “I'll try and I'll try to do a better job than this morning. I'm excited and can't wait for tomorrow's race”. The McLaren driver finally reveals: “It will be a long race. Normally we are stronger in the race than in qualifying, many things could happen".
