Norris rues lost tow after Piastri's Monza qualifying error
Summary
Norris believes a lost slipstream from Piastri's Q3 error cost him a better Monza grid spot. McLaren's straightline weakness made the tow vital; Norris starts eighth, Piastri sixth after a penalty.
Lando Norris believes he could have qualified higher for the Italian Grand Prix if Oscar Piastri hadn't locked up and aborted his final Q3 lap, robbing the defending champion of a vital slipstream at Monza.
Why it matters:
McLaren's straightline speed deficit makes tows essential at Monza. Norris, the defending champion, was already three tenths off Piastri on his first run and will start eighth after Piastri's mistake compounded a difficult weekend.
The details:
- Norris's first Q3 lap, with a tow from Russell, was 1m21.966s, good for seventh after the opening runs.
- On the second run, Piastri was to lead Norris, but locked up at Turn 1 and aborted, leaving Norris with no tow.
- Norris's second lap was 1m22.573s, about three tenths slower. He says a tow is worth "half a second, maybe even more."
- Piastri said McLaren had to leave the pits early due to pitlane position; waiting risked getting stuck at the back. He admitted he was too ambitious under braking.
- Piastri qualified third but drops to sixth with a three-place penalty for impeding Lawson.
What's next:
Norris gains a spot from Antonelli's penalty and starts eighth. He doubts a strong result is possible, saying: "If we get to clean air, we're not going to be very good at all. We're quite a long way off."
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/how-oscar-piastris-q3-mistake-denied-lando-no...