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Lando Norris just delivered an unexpectedly great performance in qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, but it all proved to be for nothing.
Coming into the weekend, Norris was forced to serve a 10-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix because McLaren installed a fourth battery unit, one more than the allocated three allowed in a season.
Amid concerns that McLaren’s car was holding Norris and Oscar Piastri back, this decision has only furthered that belief.
Lando Norris will serve a grid penalty in the Belgian GP for his fourth battery of the season 🚨 What can he achieve now at Spa?
Norris has struggled to maximise the MCL40 beyond its issues, showing that the reigning world champion is really struggling.
But an admission from Lando Norris after qualifying at Spa suggests McLaren may have been too hasty in their decision to replace the battery unit.
READ MORE: Bernie Collins pinpoints ‘defeated’ Oscar Piastri’s biggest problem amid Belgian Grand Prix woes
Lando Norris admits Belgian GP qualifying lap one of his ‘best ever laps’
Speaking to F1 TV after the qualifying session at Spa, a conflicted Lando Norris reflected on his performance on Saturday.
While Norris was thrilled with his qualifying result, calling his flying lap in Q1 one of his best ever, he did admit that it proved to be in vain given his 10-place grid penalty.
“I think it’s been a really good result. Pretty surprised to be P3. My lap was a pretty mega lap, probably one of the best laps I’ve ever done in qualifying.
“I’m pretty happy with today. Just a shame I start P13 tomorrow, so it doesn’t matter too much. I’ve been happy all weekend.
“I feel like I’ve been doing a good job all weekend, getting the most out of the car, and I feel like I did that again today. P3 was certainly the best we could achieve.”
Given how well Norris did, there is a concern that McLaren could have held off on replacing the battery until after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Throughout the weekend, Norris looked sharper, quicker, and more up for it than the last few weekends. But in the end, their decision cost him what could have been his best start to a race this season.
READ MORE: McLaren made a woeful British Grand Prix decision that F1 cannot let happen again
Who was your star of qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix? 🤩
Lando Norris and McLaren still have cause for optimism after seeing improvement at Spa
Even with the decision to replace the battery, leading to a grid penalty for Norris, McLaren officials will be hopeful that he can deliver a strong result today.
If Norris’ improvement wasn’t just an unexpected blip on the radar, but rather a sign of things to come, the Papaya faithful have reason to be excited for the second half of the season.
His attempt at a title defence floundering so far had many convinced Norris wasn’t on the level of Max Verstappen and other former champions on the grid.
But if he can begin to mount a comeback heading into the summer break, it would give him a great deal of momentum heading into the second half of the season.
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