Lando Norris laments McLaren issue exposed in Dutch GP sprint
Lando Norris said McLaren were expecting the problems that made them vulnerable in the sprint.
ZANDVOORT – Lando Norris said McLaren was expecting the problems that saw him surrender P2 to Charles Leclerc in the Dutch Grand Prix sprint race.
Norris started in second place but quickly lost any chance of passing sprint winner George Russell and eventually lost out to Leclerc later in the 24-lap race.
Lando Norris reflects on Zandvoort sprint
Not only did Leclerc get past but, had it been a full grand prix distance, Kimi Antonelli looked likely to get round too, suggesting Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri could be vulnerable in Sunday’s race.
Asked whether it came as a surprise given Norris won the previous race in Budapest, the reigning World Champion said it was exactly what the team had expected.
“No, not at all,” he said of any surprise. “I think we knew in Budapest we were very good in high-speed corners, and we were pretty terrible in slow speed, but we still managed to win.
“Here, there’s a lot more of the very, very slow speed, and more of our problems show. So no, not a surprise at all. It’s exactly what we expected.
“Just don’t have the pace in general, especially the slow-speed corners,” he added.
“We just struggle so much compared to the others. We saw that the whole weekend so far. There’s nothing we can do.
“It’s just the car’s very good in high speed, and it’s just nowhere near good enough in slow speed. So to be able to keep up was very difficult.
“Can’t overpush in high speed during the race, and therefore it’s just we can’t optimise our strengths, and more of our weaknesses show, and therefore just the pace was not good enough today.”
Norris was asked whether upgrades brought to the McLaren car this weekend had worsened the problems but the 2025 world champion insisted they had performed as expected.
“No, they’ve done exactly as they should, so I’m very happy,” he said. “We still managed to progress. It’s just certain areas; we’re just nowhere near quick enough at the slow speed. We’ve just struggled the whole weekend, and it seems clearly the weakness we have in the car at the minute.
More from the sprint on PlanetF1.com
Russell wins Zandvoort Sprint, but McLaren and Ferrari keep Mercedes driver honest
2026 Dutch Grand Prix – Sprint F1 results (Zandvoort)
“I feel if we still went back to Monaco now, we’re just going to be shocking as we were. So, I think we’ve clearly progressed a lot, and especially in medium and high speed, which is why we’re quick here, Why we were so quick in Budapest.
“It wasn’t like we’re quick everywhere in Budapest and that’s why we won; the slow speed, we were still slower than Ferrari and matching Mercedes just about.
“So we still have weaknesses, even though we managed to win one race. It’s just the strengths really shone there. And here, the deficit’s too big in the slow speed.
“There’s just nothing we can do about it now.
“It’s just how the car is for the time being, and that’s where we still have to focus as a team. We’ll try and get everything out of it. I feel like I still did a good job today. Even with a P3, it’s just yeah.
“I want to be fighting for top spot and be fighting and going forward and catching George and putting him under pressure rather than trying to survive in every slow-speed corner and fighting for my life.
“So I’m very happy with the team and the progress we made and the upgrades have all worked and they allowed me to be P3 today. But we just need more if we want to fight for a championship.”
Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.
You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!
