Norris flags worrying Friday form: 'We're struggling for pace'
Photo: Race Pictures
08:53, 05 Sep
0 Comments
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Lando Norris and McLaren experienced a difficult Friday when it came to finding pace compared to their rivals, according to the defending world champion.
On Friday afternoon, after finishing sixth in FP1, Norris set only the fourth quickest time in FP2. There, he was around four tenths slower than Mercedes' George Russell.
"Much trickier than the last few Fridays. We're struggling for pace quite a lot more than the last few. So, yeah, much, much trickier. We'll see what we can change overnight, but we're not in as good of a position compared to the last few weekends. So, yeah, tough," the Briton said after the session.
McLaren is behind everywhere
Norris continued: "It's a bit everywhere, honestly. There's not one corner we're quicker than anyone else ahead of us. So we lose a little bit in the straights comparing to Mercedes, which we kind of expect, but also the high-speed is where we lose most of our lap time, which is normally where we're quick.
ADVERTISEMENT
"So we have to try and figure out a few things, but we're just off the pace everywhere at the minute."
Lando Norris in FP2 - Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton identifies Ferrari's key weakness after difficult Friday at Monza
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also discussed his team's issues after Friday at Monza. The Briton said: "Straight line speed is considerable. Just looking at the deltas, I was losing something like six tenths to George just in the straights, which is something we need to look at look into.
"And then just balance, it was really, really hard to pull a lap out of the car. It was not an easy one to drive in FP2 for some reason. So we made a couple of changes, but it shouldn't have really been bad. So we might revert, but we're gonna look and see if we can make the car better."
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Italian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Practice 2
02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
Red Bull issue statement after FIA ruling restores Hadjar podium
5002 times read
2
Monaco GP result overturned again as Red Bull and McLaren win appeal
2312 times read
3
Max Verstappen receives Red Bull upgrade boost at Italian Grand Prix
1271 times read
4
Briatore makes explosive McLaren allegations after FIA Monaco verdict
1230 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 242 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 183 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 183 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 159 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 155 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 106 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 71 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 51 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 35 |
Loading
