McLaren star Lando Norris did not mince his words after a deeply frustrating qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, branding his performance and the car's handling as 'terrible' on the challenging Baku street circuit.
The British driver could only muster a disappointing P10 on the grid for Sunday's main event, leaving him with a mountain to climb in the unpredictable streets of the Azerbaijani capital.
'A Pretty Terrible Session' - Norris's Brutal Honesty
'It was a pretty terrible session, to be honest,' a candid Norris told reporters in the paddock. 'I just struggled a lot. The car was very difficult to drive. I had no confidence, and I made a lot of mistakes.'
His frustration was palpable as he dissected the performance, highlighting a critical lack of consistency that plagued his runs. 'I was struggling with the rear, especially in Turn 3 and the last corner. It was just very snappy and I had a lot of moments,' he explained, pinpointing the technical sections where the MCL60 let him down.
An Uphill Battle in the Baku Sprint
With qualifying setting the grid for the Grand Prix itself, the focus now immediately shifts to Saturday's Sprint race. A separate Sprint Shootout session will determine the starting order for this shorter, high-pressure event.
Norris acknowledged the unique challenge ahead: 'It’s going to be tough. We’re not in a great position, but it’s Baku. This track always produces drama and opportunities with the Safety Car. We have to be ready to capitalise on anything.'
His comments underscore the volatile nature of the Baku City Circuit, where chaos often unfolds and strategic gambles can propel cars through the field, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling McLaren team.
A Team Under Pressure
Norris's stark assessment piles pressure on McLaren to find immediate solutions. His feedback suggests fundamental issues with the car's balance and drivability on a track that demands ultimate precision and confidence from its drivers.
All eyes will now be on the garage to see if they can unlock more performance overnight and provide Norris with a more competitive package for the Sprint Shootout and the race itself. In the cut-throat world of Formula 1, such difficult Saturdays are a true test of a team's resilience and ability to bounce back under fire.
