Lando Norris faced a challenging and turbulent weekend at the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix due to a series of errors which significantly impacted his F1 championship hopes.
Starting from pole position, the McLaren driver had high hopes of capitalizing on his advantageous grid position especially with championship rival Max Verstappen starting from 17th due to a grid penalty.
However, a series of misfortunes and strategic miscalculations led to a disappointing sixth-place finish, leaving him 62 points behind Verstappen in the F1 World Championship Standings with only three races remaining in the season.
Key Mistakes in Sao Paulo
1. Poor Start from Pole Position
One of the most glaring mistakes made by Lando Norris was his inability to maintain his lead at the start of the race. For the sixth time in seven attempts this season, he failed to convert pole position into a first-lap lead.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix unfolded under challenging conditions, with rain creating a slippery track that tested the drivers’ skills and strategies. Norris’s McLaren MCL38 had demonstrated strong pace during qualifying allowing him to secure pole position.
However, the race quickly took a turn for the worse when he lost the lead to George Russell at the start. Norris attributed this loss to “wheelspin” off the line, which hindered his acceleration and allowed Russell to slip past him into Turn 1.
2. The Pit Stop Dilemma
Lando Norris’s race began to unravel further when he pitted for fresh tyres on Lap 29 just before a red flag was thrown due to a crash involving Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
However, the timing of this pit stop proved disastrous; while Norris and Russell were forced to pit, Verstappen and other drivers who had not yet stopped were able to change tyres without losing time during the red flag period.
This strategic miscalculation allowed Verstappen to leapfrog Norris and Russell once racing resumed.
Reflecting on the situation post-race, Norris stated that while it was unfortunate, there was nothing they could have done differently at that moment. However, this miscalculation significantly impacted his race outcome and further widened the gap between him and Verstappen in the championship standings.
“You can change the tires under the red flag, that’s what the others did,” Norris said after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. “Just unlucky… Sometimes it just goes your way.”
3. Struggles During Restarts
Following the red flag, Norris struggled during subsequent restarts. He ventured wide at Turn 4 shortly after the first restart, losing positions to both Verstappen and Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
His struggles continued when he again lost ground at Turn 1 during another restart, allowing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to pass him. These errors showcased not only a lack of composure under pressure but also raised questions about his ability to adapt quickly in challenging conditions.
Team Dynamics and Car Performance
While individual mistakes played a significant role in Norris’s struggles during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella defended Norris’s performance, attributing some of his struggles to the unpredictable behavior of the MCL38 in wet conditions
Unpredictable Car Behavior
The McLaren MCL38 has been described as “unpredictable” under wet conditions, which played a part in Norris’s errors throughout the Sao Paulo Grand Prix race.
Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that both drivers struggled with tire locking and overall car handling during qualifying and the race itself. This unpredictability made it challenging for Norris to execute his strategies effectively and maintain control during critical moments.
Team Strategy Decisions
The strategic decisions made by McLaren regarding pit stops have also come under scrutiny. While both Norris and Russell believed that pitting was necessary due to tire wear concerns, hindsight revealed that staying out might have been more beneficial given the subsequent red flag situation.
Stella claimed that both drivers had requested fresh tires based on their assessments of track conditions; however, this decision ultimately backfired when circumstances changed dramatically.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Lando Norris?
As we approach the final races of the 2024 season, particularly with the Las Vegas Grand Prix looming on November 24th, Norris faces an uphill battle not only in terms of points but also in regaining confidence and composure on track.
The team is set to review their strategy decisions and car performance under wet conditions in an effort to improve their competitiveness moving forward.
Stella reassured fans and stakeholders alike that McLaren remains committed to refining their approach: “We will take lessons from this race and aim for stronger performances in future events.”
Furthermore, he acknowledged that despite setbacks, both drivers completed the race without damage—a crucial factor as they continue their fight in both individual and constructors’ championships.
