The Briton had seemed sturdy heading into the ultimate Q3 shootout for the highest grid spots, after main the way in which within the Q2 phase of qualifying for Sunday’s race.
However drivers endured a difficult time in setting their laps in Q3 as a significant storm blew over the Interlagos monitor, and Norris didn’t repeat his earlier kind to finish up seventh on the grid.
Max Verstappen claimed the top spot forward of Charles Leclerc and the 2 Aston Martins.
Afterwards, Norris couldn’t disguise his disappointment on the missed alternative.
“The automotive was superb,” he mentioned. “It was fast sufficient to be quickest in the present day and on pole, so fairly gutted [to end up] the way in which we did.
“I do not know what to really feel about [it]. I believe the automotive was superb.
“It got here alive lots in qualifying and was simply ok to be quickest, as an example. Delivering the lap, and placing it collectively in Q3, the whole lot’s a distinct job.
“Simply fast sufficient, so dissatisfied. One other disappointing Saturday, not lots we may have performed.”
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60
McLaren’s distress on the misplaced alternative of qualifying was compounded by Oscar Piastri making a mistake on his single Q3 run, as he slid off the monitor on the Juncao nook that leads again as much as the start-finish straight.
Piastri mentioned he had performed nothing totally different to earlier than on that lap, as various drivers mentioned that grip ranges had disappeared despite the fact that the rain had not hit.
“I simply misplaced quite a lot of grip,” mentioned the Australian, who was unable to set a timed lap in Q3 and thus ended up tenth on the grid.
“I do not know if it was already raining or what, however I used to be struggling lots already on the lap. I believe everybody was.
“I simply went in how I did the final lap and simply slid straight off. So yeah, it is a disgrace. The tempo of the automotive was trying good, however we strive once more tomorrow.”
After electing to not present its full potential within the morning observe session, Piastri mentioned that the whole lot had seemed nicely on the right track for McLaren in qualifying earlier than the storm blew in.
“It has been a very good day when it comes to tempo,” he mentioned. “Clearly this climate’s thrown a spanner within the works, so we simply want to take a look at what went mistaken in Q3.”