The McLaren team will be leaving Sochi thinking of what could have been after Lando Norris missed out on the win at the Russian Grand Prix.
The British driver was having a fantastic weekend, but as the rain began to pour in the latter parts of today’s battle, a split-second decision to remain out instead of switching to more suitable tyres for the wet cost the team the win.
Team Principal, Andreas Seidl spoke after the chequered flag and said; “We didn’t get it together as a team.”
He told Sky Sports F1: “I saw Lando quickly after he jumped out of the car just to say thanks for everything he’s pulled off this weekend. He’s very disappointed at the moment but that’s part of the sport we’re in. In hindsight it’s always easy to judge what we could’ve done differently. We didn’t get it together as a team in hindsight, it was the wrong decision to stay out, but it’s part of the sport.
“He’s long enough in this sport now to know it’s part of the game, part of the learning. But not just on his side, but on the team side as well because I think there is always a chance to overrule him from the pit wall side with the information we are having.
“In the end, together we made this call to stay out. On Lewis’ side we heard the discussions as well, it was pretty much the same ongoing and on Lewis’ side he had the chance to wait to see what we are doing and do the opposite because he was in P2. We didn’t have this opportunity.
“We wanted to go for the win, that’s why we decided together to stay out and it just didn’t work out.
“Apart from the last two or three laps, from what we have seen from the team and his side yesterday when he pulled off the pole and also today in the race, it’s impressive what he’s pulling off in only his third year in Formula 1.
“That’s why of course we need to analyse together with him what we could’ve done better today, learn from it and then it’s also important to see all the positives and come back stronger in Turkey.
“We finish P7 so we regret it at the moment. It’s a decision you make together, the driver and the pit wall. The result is we didn’t get it together today compared to some other teams. We shall analyse it, learn from it and try and do better next time.”
