Lando Norris has spoken out following the Russian Grand Prix, after a quick decision not to enter the pits for wet tyres saw him spin off the track and lose the lead amid the falling rain.
The McLaren man drove impeccably on Saturday to land his first career pole position at Sochi, and after regaining the lead from his ex-teammate Carlos Sainz early on in the race, it was a devastating moment for the Brit – who ultimately came home in seventh.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the race Norris said; “I don’t know where to start. I’m unhappy, devastated in a way. We made a call to stay out and we stand by that.
“It was the wrong one at the end of the day but I made the decision just as much as the team. It was more that they thought I should box and I decided to stay out.
“It was my decision, I thought it was the way to go.
“I don’t think it changes too much. I had the confidence beforehand that I was capable of doing it (leading a race) and I’ve felt capable of doing that for a while. So I don’t think that’s really changed. It’s just a bit of heartbreak.
“I felt like I did everything I could, even when it got a bit tricky at the end. I made a couple of mistakes but still kept Lewis behind and managed to pull away a little bit.
“A bit of luck like the laps I was out before Lewis boxed was perfectly fine for the tyres I was on and I got told the rain was going to stay the same amount. Had it stayed the same amount we had the right decision, but it obviously got a lot wetter than we as a team expected.
“When it’s only two laps to go, when there are 20 to go you’re maybe not as aggressive with decisions. We did what we thought was right, which I’m happy with.
“It was wrong at the end of the day but everything until then the guys did an excellent job. I’m happy with everything apart from that one decision which we’ll review and try not to make again.”
