Norris reigns in the rain as Brits excel
LANDO NORRis proved he is a man for all seasons by conquering a treacherous shanghai international Circuit to claim pole for the first sprint race of the season today.
As his competitors struggled to keep their cars on the straight and narrow following a heavy downpour late in the second qualifying session, Norris showed skill and composure to safely shepherd his McLaren to pole.
his effort was initially wiped out after he was adjudged to have exceeded track limits, handing Lewis hamilton a shock pole.
But Norris’s mark was reinstated soon after, knocking hamilton down to second again and meaning it will be the McLaren man who will lead the charge in China, where a maximum of eight Championship points are up for grabs in the sprint before qualifying session for the Grand Prix follows at 8am UK time.
‘it was tricky,’ said the 24-year- old. ‘i was nervous. i am happy, but sad it is not for a proper qualifying. it was good fun, it gets your heart going!’
As the skies became gloomier with each lap, there was finally a ray of sunshine for hamilton.
This was a reminder that he remains a canny operator in all conditions as he delved into his box of tricks to take his under-performing
Mercedes to second. it came just hours after he described his car as ‘rubbish’ during the first practice session. ‘They were very tricky conditions with not a lot of grip for everyone,’ said hamilton. ‘But i’m so happy, as soon as i saw the rain coming i was getting excited. in dry conditions we’re not quick enough.’
Asked to assess his chances of victory in the sprint, he added: ‘it really depends what the conditions are. if they are like they were just now, we have a chance of being up there.’
Things were less positive for team-mate George Russell, who will start from 11th. Max Verstappen will find himself in the unfamiliar surroundings of the second row after he could only post the fourth quickest time.