Lando Norris says he has no idea about why McLaren were so slow at the Miami Grand Prix.
The McLarens finished 17th and 19th which was a surprise after a promising outing at the Azerbaijan GP.
“Different reasons affected us and slowed us,” Norris told the media. “Longer corners don’t suit us, the temperature doesn’t suit us, track surface doesn’t suit us. There’s many different aspects of it all.
“That said, nobody was really slow either this weekend. The Alpha Tauris were the only other slow car. The Alfa Romeos were mega-fast, Haas were mega-fast, Alpines looked way quicker.
“I would say there hasn’t been much difference with where we have been, to be honest, it’s just everyone else has taken a step forwards.”
Hanging in there for Norris
Norris had a good launch off the line in Miami and overtook a handful of cars but was almost taken out at the start as Nyck de Vries’ Alpha Tauri hit the rear end of his MCL60.
For Norris, the race did not get any better from there as he was pulled into the pits after a handful of laps before completing the race as a backmarker.
Being at the back of an Formula 1 field is an unfamiliar experience for the British driver, who is used to racing at the top end of the midfield and snatching the occasional podium from the lead times.
Despite being stuck at the back in Miami, Norris maintained a “never say die” attitude.
“I just had to hang in and see if anything happens,” said Norris.
“Many things will, but you never know. So it’s worth staying out just in case.”