What went wrong on Lap 1 for Norris in Monza? 'He didn't do that'
F1 News
On Lap 1 of the Italian Grand Prix, entering Turns 4 and 5, Oscar Piastri drove around the outside of Lando Norris, and got up to first position. Much has been talked about the so-called 'Papaya rules' and the Australian's move since the Grand Prix, and also team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown have been questioned about whether the team should choose a number one driver. According to Jolyon Palmer, Piastri's move however was tough, but fair on Lap 1.
Norris' error into Turn 4
Lando Norris was and is still yet to lead a Grand Prix when starting from pole position entering Lap 2, and the same thing happened at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza last weekend as well. While the Briton could keep the lead exiting the first chicane, a couple corners later, he fell to P3. What went wrong for the current second place driver in the world championship?
"He breaks early, gives Oscar a big chance to go around the outside, and from this position, now, is almost out of his hands because Oscar has done a great job on the brakes. What Lando has to do to keep the position is roll off the brakes and match his teammate on the brakes, on the entry, into the first corner to stop Piastri turning in. But he doesn't do that. He holds the brakes and holds the inside line, and it just gives Piastri a nice chance," the former Renault driver said on F1TV.
"There is absolutely nothing that Norris could do now to stop this pass being made by Piastri," the Briton added. Moreover, Palmer believes the Australian completed "a lovely, clean, beautiful move" following the start.
Eventually, starting from pole position while Max Verstappen and Red Bull struggled at the Italian Grand Prix, the Briton also finished the race in third position, while the Dutchman finished sixth. With collecting the fastest lap for the race, Norris has therefore gained eight points on his rival, but trails him by 62 points in the drivers' standings.
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