Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, but then made an unusual mistake.
The McLaren star won the fan-voted Driver of the Day award for his time at the helm of the car.
Norris started the day fourth and overcame a series of obstacles to move up two places.
The race in Shanghai was interrupted by safety cars.
The first came when Sauber star Valtteri Bottas saw his engine fail.
Then, almost immediately after the restart, several cars grouped together and collided.
This caused another long period with the safety car on track, but Norris kept his cool.
He may have been 13.773 seconds behind his friend and rival Max Verstappen in his irrepressible Red Bull, but he still managed to beat Sergio Perez to the checkered flag.
The Papaya driver beat him by six seconds to take 18 championship points.
But after taking the flag, Norris made a big mistake.
The British star brought his car into the pit lane in parc ferme instead of leaving his car in the specified spot on the grid where everyone who made the podium was supposed to park.
And it was noticed by eagle-eyed Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, quickly informing his team of a rules infraction, especially if Norris reversed into the pit lane at any time.
“Norris was at the pit entrance,” said the Spaniard.
Xavier Marcos Padros, his race engineer, replied: “Copy. He made a mistake. He should have gone to the grid.”
However, he was able to make it to his post-race interview on time.
But despite the mistake, Norris was delighted with his weekend.
He said: “I’m surprised, I’m very happy, very happy for the team. Good pit stops, today it worked, I don’t know how, I didn’t really expect it.
“I felt comfortable, I managed the tires, it’s a much easier task than yesterday. I could just push the car and it was great and comfortable so have a good day, good points and another podium, so very happy.”
He continued: “I’m surprised by a lot of things, the lack of pace of the Ferrari, our good pace. Compared to Red Bull, it was surprising. I didn’t expect today at all, I I did everything to get out early and I won’t be on the podium, it’s a pleasant surprise but it shows that the team has done a good job, we are working hard and it is paying off.
“I bet on our distance behind the Ferrari today. I thought 35 seconds, I was really wrong but I’m happy to be wrong. It was a good day for everyone.”
Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, but then made an unusual mistake.
The McLaren star won the fan-voted Driver of the Day award for his time at the helm of the car.
Norris started the day fourth and overcame a series of obstacles to move up two places.
The race in Shanghai was interrupted by safety cars.
The first came when Sauber star Valtteri Bottas saw his engine fail.
Then, almost immediately after the restart, several cars grouped together and collided.
This caused another long period with the safety car on track, but Norris kept his cool.
He may have been 13.773 seconds behind his friend and rival Max Verstappen in his irrepressible Red Bull, but he still managed to beat Sergio Perez to the checkered flag.
The Papaya driver beat him by six seconds to take 18 championship points.
But after taking the flag, Norris made a big mistake.
The British star brought his car into the pit lane in parc ferme instead of leaving his car in the specified spot on the grid where everyone who made the podium was supposed to park.
And it was noticed by eagle-eyed Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, quickly informing his team of a rules infraction, especially if Norris reversed into the pit lane at any time.
“Norris was at the pit entrance,” said the Spaniard.
Xavier Marcos Padros, his race engineer, replied: “Copy. He made a mistake. He should have gone to the grid.”
However, he was able to make it to his post-race interview on time.
But despite the mistake, Norris was delighted with his weekend.
He said: “I’m surprised, I’m very happy, very happy for the team. Good pit stops, today it worked, I don’t know how, I didn’t really expect it.
“I felt comfortable, I managed the tires, it’s a much easier task than yesterday. I could just push the car and it was great and comfortable so have a good day, good points and another podium, so very happy.”
He continued: “I’m surprised by a lot of things, the lack of pace of the Ferrari, our good pace. Compared to Red Bull, it was surprising. I didn’t expect today at all, I I did everything to get out early and I won’t be on the podium, it’s a pleasant surprise but it shows that the team has done a good job, we are working hard and it is paying off.
“I bet on our distance behind the Ferrari today. I thought 35 seconds, I was really wrong but I’m happy to be wrong. It was a good day for everyone.”