McLaren celebrates a acclaimed double victory in China. The second place from Lando Norris was massive on the brink. The reason was problems with the brakes.
McLaren-Pilot Lando Norris saved itself with violent brake problems into the finish of the Grand Prix of China. The Brit ended up second in the race in Shanghai behind his team -mate Oscar Piatri.
On the last rounds, the World Cup leader troubled problems with the brakes on the Papaya racer. These drove the 25-year-old sweat on the forehead.
Norris: “My worst nightmare”
“It is scary. It is my worst nightmare. If I have a nightmare, it is the brakes that fail,” he said after the race to the incident.
On the way to attack on Piatri, he radioed: “I have a long brake pedal. A very long.” The McLaren box confirmed the problems on the radio.
He had lost two or three seconds in the last rounds, he said. “So I was a bit afraid. But we survived and made it to the end,” he said and smiled.
Formula 1: Norris congratulates Piatri on victory in China
Due to the brake problem, he was also unable to put his garage neighbors under pressure in the final sprint. That was the plan, “but it didn’t work,” said Norris. So Piatri drove relatively unexpectedly to his first victory of the new season. “He deserves the victory, I’m happy with second place. These are good points for the team,” said Norris.
The vice world champion, who won the season opener in Australia, remains at the top of the driver’s ranking of Formula 1. He is now eight points ahead of world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.
“It was an incredible weekend, the car felt great. I’m just proud because it was a very deserved victory,” said racing winner Piatri.