Lando Norris showcased impressive pace during the Miami qualifying sessions, particularly in the middle segment, where he outpaced Max Verstappen. However, his performance took a downturn in the final segment, SQ3, where he lost significant time to Verstappen, primarily due to mistakes in the opening sector of the lap.
Despite grappling with oversteer at several corners, Norris noted an improvement in handling as the lap progressed. He acknowledged pushing too hard and making errors, expressing disappointment with the outcome despite recognizing the team’s efforts and the effectiveness of the upgrades on his McLaren.
Starting from ninth on the grid for the sprint race, Norris remains optimistic about his chances of making up ground, citing his strong pace during earlier track sessions. He aims to capitalize on his speed and advance through the field in the upcoming race, determined to maximize his performance despite the setback in qualifying.
Meanwhile, his teammate Oscar Piastri, who qualified sixth, acknowledged the challenging nature of the session for all drivers and speculated on potential track changes or misjudgments regarding tire choice in SQ3.
Despite concerns about tire degradation in the sweltering Miami conditions, Piastri remains relatively unfazed, expecting a tough race for everyone due to the high temperatures.
While acknowledging the heat’s impact on tire performance, he anticipates an exciting sprint race with opportunities for position changes, emphasizing the lack of consistency among competitors throughout the weekend. With several cars potentially out of position, Piastri anticipates an eventful race day, suggesting that tire management and adaptability will be crucial factors in determining the outcome.
