Lando Norris found himself torn between disappointment and joy after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. On one hand, he was frustrated by what could have been a victory, but on the other, he was thrilled to see his teammate, Oscar Piastri, win and McLaren rise to the top of the Constructors’ Championship for the first time in over a decade.
A Missed Opportunity
Norris’s disappointment stemmed from a stroke of bad luck during qualifying. He was forced to abort his lap after a yellow flag caused by Esteban Ocon’s slow-moving Alpine on the pit straight. This dropped Norris down the grid to 17th, though penalties for other drivers allowed him to start 15th. Despite the setback, Norris felt he had been unfairly denied a chance to compete for the win.
“The car was flying,” Norris said. “It was so good it almost made me more annoyed about yesterday and how silly that yellow flag was.”
Norris believed the yellow flag wasn’t even necessary, and it significantly impacted his chances of securing crucial points in the championship. Despite his strong race performance, where he finished fourth, Norris couldn’t shake off the feeling that more was within reach.
Piastri’s Victory and McLaren’s Triumph
While Norris was dealing with his own frustrations, he was genuinely happy for his teammate, Oscar Piastri, who took the win in Baku. Piastri’s victory, along with Norris’s fourth-place finish, marked a historic moment for McLaren. The team overtook Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2014.
Norris played a critical role in Piastri’s win. He managed to hold off Red Bull’s Sergio Perez just long enough to ensure that Piastri remained in second place after his pit stop. Team Principal Andrea Stella praised Norris’s contribution, saying, “Without Lando’s help, Perez would have pitted ahead of Oscar. So 50% of Oscar’s victory is shared with Lando.”
Norris, reflecting on this, said, “I did my small part for the team, which I’m really happy for because it got us P1 in the constructors’. That’s the thing that makes me the happiest.”
McLaren’s Journey to the Top
McLaren’s rise to the top of the Constructors’ Championship is a remarkable achievement considering where they started the 2023 season. At the beginning of the year, the team was at the back of the grid, struggling to find pace. However, through hard work, upgrades, and strategic decisions, they managed to turn things around.
Team Principal Stella emphasized the significance of this milestone: “We don’t have to forget that at the start of 2023 we were last when we started the season and now we lead the classification. It is a huge milestone, possible thanks to the great work and hard work and quality of work of the entire team.”
Despite this success, Stella urged the team to remain focused. “This second is already over. We don’t look at the classification. We just focus on executing at every single event, delivering the upgrades we still plan to take to the future races.”
Red Bull’s Fall from the Top
For Red Bull, McLaren’s success marked a significant moment. This is the first time in two and a half years that they have not led the Constructors’ Championship. Max Verstappen, who dominated the first half of the season with seven wins from ten races, has not won in seven Grands Prix. The team’s struggles with the RB20, along with high-profile exits, have contributed to their decline.
Verstappen’s title hopes are still alive, but the gap is narrowing. Norris managed to claw back a few points in Baku, though Verstappen still holds a strong lead in the Drivers’ Championship. However, McLaren’s momentum and Red Bull’s challenges suggest the season is far from over.
Looking Ahead
Norris’s performance in Baku, where he caught and passed Verstappen despite starting nine places behind him, demonstrated McLaren’s potential. After a long first stint on hard tyres, Norris managed to hold off Verstappen for several laps before pulling away. Even after his own pit stop, Norris caught up to Verstappen, passing him for what was initially sixth place and ultimately finishing fourth after other incidents on track.
“I wasn’t expecting to do such a thing,” Norris admitted, reflecting on his impressive drive.
Despite the mixed emotions, Norris remains optimistic about McLaren’s future. He knows there is more work to be done, but the team’s performance in Azerbaijan has given them a huge boost in confidence. “We need to remain humble and keep our feet on the ground because there is not much to choose between the top teams,” Stella warned.
For McLaren, the focus now is on maintaining their momentum, delivering further upgrades, and continuing their push for more wins. As for Norris, while Baku may have been a missed opportunity, he can take solace in the fact that McLaren is back on top, and his role in their success has been instrumental.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they can hold on to their lead in the Constructors’ Championship and if Norris can continue his push for victory.
