McLaren driver Lando Norris admitted his second-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix was fortunate due to a significant brake problem.
Norris was closely trailing his teammate Oscar Piastri when he experienced a `nightmare` scenario: his brake pedal became unresponsive, hindering his car`s deceleration.
Despite the malfunction, he managed to stay ahead of Mercedes` George Russell, crossing the finish line just 1.3 seconds in front. Norris believes he would have been forced to retire had the race continued for only a few more laps.
“The last few laps were terrible,” Norris commented. “It`s like trying to navigate a roundabout without brakes. Not a pleasant experience. We weren`t sure of the exact cause or what was happening.”
He added, “We were lucky to complete the race. George was right behind me at the end. Brake failure is a driver`s worst fear – that moment when you press the brake pedal and nothing happens, and your foot goes straight to the floor.”
“I barely had enough to finish, another lap or two and I doubt I would have made it.”
Stella: Brake Issue `Unacceptable`
The Shanghai circuit is known for demanding braking zones, particularly at the end of the long straight, where brake failure can lead to serious incidents.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed strong disapproval of the issue, acknowledging the potential danger Norris faced.
“I`m pleased with the one-two finish. However, the brake pedal issue on Lando`s car caused significant tension on the pit wall and throughout the team. We had to manage it for the final 20 laps,” Stella explained.
Stella continued, “Lando and the team did an excellent job adapting the driving style to manage this worsening problem, which jeopardized the entire result. This level of reliability risk is simply unacceptable.”
“We must improve. This incident will be a key point of emphasis for the entire team, who have otherwise performed exceptionally. We cannot allow such issues to put our results in danger.”
Norris Praises Team for Top Car
Despite the brake concerns, Norris currently leads the Formula 1 Drivers` Championship by eight points over Max Verstappen.
McLaren`s strong performance also positions them as contenders for the constructors` title, holding a 25-point lead over Mercedes.
Norris commended the team`s efforts: “The team is doing an incredible job maintaining the car`s strength. With stable regulations, improving the car becomes increasingly challenging.”
“The team`s winter work to deliver such a competitive car is commendable. Credit to everyone at MTC; it`s not easy. Hearing them describe the difficulties makes you appreciate their achievement in providing us with such a capable car.”
“While we always find things to critique, it`s part of the drive to improve! Full credit to the team because we believe we have a top car. It’s demanding to drive, more so than last season, but if we can master that and continue improving, we`ll be even more confident.”
