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Norris had led SQ1 and SQ2 in his massively improved McLaren in Miami on Friday evening, with his time in the middle segment of sprint qualifying good enough to have beaten eventual session winner Max Verstappen.
But Norris lost 0.8 seconds to the Red Bull in their respective opening sectors during SQ3’s only runs, which took place with the drivers on soft tires after using mediums throughout SQ1 and SQ2.
Norris’ SQ3 lap saw him catch dramatic oversteers in Turns 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 through the flowing opening sector around Hard Rock Stadium, finishing 0.831 seconds slower than Verstappen as his Handling seemed to improve throughout its final lap.
When asked what was wrong, Norris replied: “I just pushed too hard, it’s as simple as that.”
“The car felt very good. It’s just stupid to be honest, a few mistakes in turn 1 and a big spiral from there.
“It’s a shame, the team did a good job, the improvements are working, so I’m happy with everything, but not just one thing.”
Norris also said he was hoping to make up places from his ninth starting spot for the Miami sprint because his “pace was very good” on the opening track of that event.
“Probably one of the fastest,” he added of his potential. “So, I’m disappointed with today but I’ll do my best tomorrow.”
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
In the other MCL38 – despite only using half the new parts available to his teammate – Oscar Piastri said “it was a really tricky session for everyone” and wondered “if the track had a little changed.” [in SQ3] or we all thought the software was going to be much better.”
Piastri, who will start three places ahead of his teammate for the sprint race, continued: “But my lap was pretty horrible and I was P6 so I think everyone must have had a bad run.
“I think Lando had the fastest lap overall in SQ2, so it’s a bit strange but I’ll take 6th.”
On a sweltering weekend in Miami, Piastri is so far unconcerned that McLaren is experiencing dramatic tire degradation issues during the sprint event.
“I think it’s going to be tough for everyone, but the tires seem to be surviving well, they’re just very hot,” explained the Australian.
“Not too worried, but it could be an exciting sprint. Some cars are out of position. Nobody has really shown much consistency so it will be exciting tomorrow.
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