Lando Norris has not won a race since the 2025 season opener in Australia Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Venue:ImolaDate:18 MayRace start:14:00 BST on Sunday Coverage:Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app Lando Norris said he was "just not good enough" after qualifying fourth for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri on pole. Norris was 0.292 seconds slower than his team-mate, and likely faces a difficult race on an Imola track where overtaking is difficult. Briton Norris is 16 points behind the Australian in the championship after the first six races of the season. "Never good enough in my final lap in 'quali'," Norris said. "Everyone goes quicker and I always go slower." Norris' downbeat assessment of his own form reflected his struggles in qualifying this season. The Briton dominated Piastri over one lap in 2024, when he was beaten only four times by his team-mate. But changes in the way the McLaren car behaves over the winter have meant it suits him less than it did. Combined with what team principal Andrea Stella describes as a "relatively numb" front axle, which is not giving Norris the "cues" he needs to drive at the limit, and Piastri has turned the tables. This was his third pole in seven races - matching the total of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who joins him on the front row in Imola - to Norris' one. Piastri has won four of the six grands prix so far, Norris only one. Norris said: "I'm not going to just blame the car. That's not me. I felt good all weekend. I felt good in Q1 and Q2. I felt like there's lap time available. "But when I try and go for lap time, it just doesn't go. Clearly, there's a lot of things changed from last year. "In my whole career, qualifying has been my biggest strength by a long way. This year, it's just not coming my way." Stella, though, pointed out that Piastri had qualified fourth at the last race in Miami and had gone on to win. "We have said since the start of the season that our car, which is a very competitive car, is not the easiest car to drive in qualifying conditions when you have an empty tank and you go for the last millisecond," Stella said. "It's Imola, and now there is emphasis on the fact that Lando is P4, but let's just go one place back, and who was P4 in Miami? "It was actually Oscar, but I don't think we talked very much about the fact that he was before, and in fact he even won the race." Norris said the race was going to be "tricky" for him and he had to hope for strategy to find a way forward. He starts the race sandwiched between the Mercedes of George Russell and the improved Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso. Fernando Alonso, then with Renault, won in Imola 20 years ago, holding off Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the closing stages The Spaniard's showing was his team's best of what has so far been a difficult year and it comes as a result of a major upgrade on the car that has - at least partly - been influenced by their new managing technical partner, Adrian Newey, the design legend who joined in March. His team-mate Lance Stroll qualified in eighth place. "For the whole team to be with both cars in Q3, it really lifts a little bit of pressure from the shoulders of everyone in the team," Alonso said. "The package that we introduced yesterday, we had some positive results, but you never know until you go to qualifying. "We need to keep the feet on the ground, and maybe the track characteristics, it does help the Aston, so we'll need to see in Monaco and Barcelona. But so far, happy with the improvement." However, the 43-year-old emphasised that while he was "happy to be fifth", it was not close to his or the team's ambitions. "I want to be in Australia (at the start of the season) next year and win the race," Alonso said. "It's going to be a tactical race. As always in Imola, it's difficult to overtake. Less stops possible for everyone because then you cannot overtake on track. "I expect to have a good start, good strategy, and let's see the pace. I think it's not as good as P5, so I'm ready to lose a couple of positions, but hopefully not too many." Piastri spoke about his determination to ensure he kept the lead at the start. "As long as I can get a good start, then confident," he said. "It's a difficult track to overtake on. Our pace has been strong. Our long-run pace yesterday looked very encouraging. So yeah, as long as I can get a good start and have a good first lap, then that would be good." Verstappen, who said his car was better balanced than on Friday when he had struggled with race pace, said: "I'll just try to do a good start and see where I'm at with the pace, because yesterday wasn't particularly good in the long run also. "And then yeah, just see with the new set-up we have on the car. Hopefully it all sticks a bit better on the Tarmac and, hopefully, in general a bit more competitive."
Norris 'just not good enough' in qualifying
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Lando Norris Qualifies Fourth as Teammate Oscar Piastri Takes Pole at Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix"
Bbc News
8.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Lando Norris expressed disappointment after qualifying fourth for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, stating he was "just not good enough" as his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, secured pole position. Norris finished 0.292 seconds slower than Piastri, who has been in impressive form this season, winning four out of the first six races. The qualifying results highlight a significant turnaround in Norris's performance compared to the previous season, where he was often dominant over Piastri. The changes in the McLaren car's handling, particularly a "relatively numb" front axle, have hindered Norris's ability to extract maximum performance during qualifying sessions. Despite his frustration, Norris acknowledged that he cannot solely blame the car for his struggles, citing a feeling of potential untapped lap time in earlier qualifying sessions. He noted that qualifying has historically been his strength, but this season has not aligned with his expectations.
Team principal Andrea Stella provided some context for Norris's qualifying performance, suggesting that while the car is competitive, it presents challenges in qualifying conditions, especially when drivers are pushing for the last milliseconds. Reflecting on the race ahead, Norris anticipated a challenging day due to the track's difficulty for overtaking, starting between George Russell's Mercedes and Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin. Alonso, who qualified fifth, expressed cautious optimism about his team's recent upgrades and the potential for a good race. Both Piastri and Verstappen, who will be starting alongside him, are focused on maintaining their positions at the start. The race promises to be tactical, with strategies likely playing a crucial role in determining the outcome, particularly given the challenges of overtaking on the Imola circuit.
TruthLens AI Analysis
Lando Norris's recent comments following his qualifying performance highlight a significant struggle for the driver and his team. His self-assessment as "just not good enough" indicates a deeper issue within his current form, especially in contrast to his teammate Oscar Piastri, who has seen considerable success this season.
Competitive Dynamics
Norris's remarks underscore a shift in dynamics within the McLaren team. While he previously dominated in qualifying against Piastri in 2024, the changes in the car's behavior have adversely affected his performance. This has created a competitive disparity, as evidenced by Piastri's pole position and overall success in the season. The article suggests that there may be psychological factors at play, as Norris struggles to adapt to the new car setup while his teammate thrives.
Team Strategy and Performance
The narrative also hints at broader implications for McLaren's strategy moving forward. With Piastri's performance contrasting sharply with Norris's, there may be internal pressures to recalibrate their approach to maximize both drivers' potential. Team principal Andrea Stella's comments reflect a recognition of the need for adaptability and resilience within the team. This situation poses strategic challenges, as Norris must find ways to regain his qualifying prowess while the team seeks to support both drivers effectively.
Public Perception and Media Influence
The article serves to shape public perception of Norris and McLaren. By portraying Norris's struggles in a candid light, it may evoke empathy from fans while also raising questions about the team's overall direction. This narrative could influence how supporters view the team's future prospects and their performance in upcoming races. Additionally, Norris's acknowledgment of his challenges positions him as a relatable figure, potentially increasing fan support.
Implications for the Racing Community
The impact of this story extends beyond Norris and McLaren. It could affect fan engagement, sponsorship dynamics, and even the competitive landscape within Formula 1. If Norris continues to underperform, it may lead to discussions about his future with the team, influencing both media coverage and fan sentiment. The contrasting performances between teammates often highlight the competitive pressures within the sport, which can have ripple effects on team dynamics and public interest.
Market Reactions and Industry Impact
In terms of market implications, sustained underperformance from a high-profile driver like Norris could have repercussions for McLaren's brand image and stock value, should they be publicly traded. Fans and investors alike may respond to the team's performance, impacting sponsorship opportunities and partnerships within the motorsport industry.
The article does not suggest any manipulative intent but rather focuses on the realities of competition and the pressures faced by drivers. It is a straightforward account of performance and team dynamics, reflecting the challenges within the sport.
The overall reliability of the article is high, as it presents a clear narrative supported by quotes and context from the racing environment. It contributes to the ongoing dialogue about performance in Formula 1 without resorting to sensationalism.