Jolyon Palmer thinks ‘eye-catching’ F1 driver is receiving ‘unfair’ criticism

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Jolyon Palmer believes an ‘eye-catching’ Formula 1 driver is receiving ‘unfair’ criticism after producing yet another terrific weekend throughout the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix.

The Shanghai International Circuit finally saw F1 machines hit the track again last week after five years away. Formula 1 had not held a Chinese GP since 2019 owing to the nation’s strict covid restrictions. But F1’s return produced the same result as 23 of the prior 27 Grand Prix.

No driver could deny Max Verstappen of Red Bull his first Chinese GP victory, despite a VSC and two full safety car periods. But Lando Norris of McLaren did split the Dutchman and his teammate Sergio Perez on the podium. The Briton utilised the VSC to make his only pit stop.

McLaren driver Lando Norris impressed Jolyon Palmer with an ‘eye-catching’ Chinese GP

Norris even secured pole position for the F1 Sprint at the Chinese GP in the rain-soaked SQ3. He also topped the session by 1.261 seconds to Lewis Hamilton and held a 2.088s margin on Verstappen. But Hamilton taking Norris wide at T2 denied him any chance to win the Sprint.

Hamilton placed his Mercedes perfectly to stop Norris from trying to re-pass the 39-year-old around his outside. But refusing to yield saw the McLaren ace drop to P7 before finishing in P6. Norris bounced back straight away, though, to claim P4 on the grid for the Chinese GP.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

The 24-year-old also managed his tyres perfectly to the VSC to extend his first stint. Norris even covered Perez’s pace after the safety car restarts to secure his 15th podium as a Grand Prix driver. The Chinese GP was Norris’ 109th race since his debut at the 2019 Australian GP.

Lando Norris receives ‘unfair’ criticism for having the most podiums without a win in F1

Former Formula 1 driver, Palmer, has also now praised Norris for producing an ‘eye-catching display’ at the Chinese GP. He even notes that the McLaren ace is receiving ‘unfair’ criticism for having the most Grand Prix podiums without securing a win in Formula 1 so far with 15.

“Lando gets some criticism for not having won a race yet but this is unfair,” Palmer has told the official Formula 1 website. “He’s been a victim of circumstances thus far and hasn’t had a legitimate missed open goal.

READ MORE: 5 unforgettable Miami GP moments including Lando Norris’ crash

“The 2021 [Russian GP] in Sochi was his biggest opportunity yet. But I don’t blame Lando for losing out in that race.

“To me, it was more an incredible feat that he was in a position to potentially win in the first place in what was an upper midfield car, matching Lewis Hamilton in the mighty Mercedes era [and] in conditions we know Hamilton also thrives in.

“It’s also such a tricky task for a leading underdog to make the right tyre call in those conditions with a first victory at stake.”

Which Formula 1 drivers have the most podiums without a win?

Norris earned the unwanted honour of having the most podium finishes without securing a Grand Prix win after his third place at the 2024 Australian GP. It edged the Briton above Nick Heidfeld, who reached the rostrum 13 times during his Formula 1 career from 2000 to 2011.

The top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all time with the most podiums without sealing a single win also includes Martin Brundle. He reached the rostrum nine times as a Grand Prix driver from 1984 to 1989 and 1991 to 1996 including at his home British GP in 1992 racing for Benetton.