Norris expects very tough race: "We're just not fast enough"

Lando Norris acknowledges the reality: the car is just not fast enough. Speaking to Viaplay' s microphone, the McLaren driver discusses the disappointing qualifying and puts the blame on both the car and himself.

In qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, Norris crashed out in Q2. It is a continuation of a disappointing start to the season for Norris and McLaren. Whereas last year the team could still fight along for the title of 'best of the rest' by default, this year McLaren is condemned to the back of the pack and is still ingloriously at the bottom with no points.

Oscar Piastri narrowly crashed out in Q3, leaving Norris to uphold the team's honour in the second round of qualifying. Unfortunately, the Briton could not live up to it and had to make do with a 13th time. Viaplay's reporter asked him what went wrong.

"I locked up," Norris calmly replied. According to him, however, that is not the reason he did not manage to get past Q2. "We're not quick enough. The car is too slow. And I'm making too many mistakes. I'm not expecting a lot more tomorrow. The race is always different, it's never as simple as qualifying. But today we just weren't quick enough to get into Q3 and to fight for any points or anything. So, we'll try and understand some more things tonight. But, yeah, it's going to be a tough race."