A heartbroken Lando Norris found support from Mercedes who threw their weight behind the McLaren driver in the aftermath of the Russian GP
After finishing second in Italy, a spurred and buoyed Lando Norris put in a heroic effort at Sochi. Taking pole for the race after finishing first in qualifying, the McLaren man drove an immaculate race apart from the closing stages in the Russian Grand Prix.
Despite Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton snapping at his heels across the course of the length, Norris refused to be fazed. The young Brit held his ground, to stay in first place with his first ever pole in the land of Formula 1 looking within touching dust.
Russian GP Ends In Disappointment For Gusty Lando Norris
However, as the weather floundered and rain lashed the circuit, things started going awry for Norris. Despite being 24 seconds ahead of Hamilton, Norris lost control of his car in the 53rd lap as inclement weather caused his McLaren to skid and skittle across the circuit, a misdemeanor which pushed Norris all the way down to seventh spot.
The leeway offered to him saw Hamilton push hard to rake up his 100th win in the land of F1 with Valtteri Bottas coming in second despite starting in 17th place. Ensuing the race, Norris was heartbroken with him talking about how he had the race in his grasps had rain not struck.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were quick to laud Norris’ efforts after the race with Mercedes talking about how they were sure Norris’ time was around the corner.
“Look, he’s so young, he’s got so many more wins up ahead of him. He’s been doing a fantastic job, he did a fantastic job yesterday in the wet, he’s doing such a great job leading that team and McLaren have won the last race – they’ve been very hard to beat for us,” Hamilton said about Norris after sealing the win.