Lando Norris reveals Spanish GP error: 'I was caught out'

Lando Norris has stated he was “caught out” by how fast the lights went out at the start of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Norris took the start from second on the grid, lining up alongside team-mate and pole-sitter Oscar Piastri.

Piastri made the better start of the duo and held his lead into the opening corner, whilst Norris fell into the clutches of Max Verstappen, who moved into second place through Turn 1.

Norris has suggested the rapidness of the five lights disappearing to signal the start of the race was to blame for his lacklustre first lap. 

“I just remember the lights going up pretty quickly, and I was a little bit caught out by that,” Norris told the media, including RacingNews365.

“Then I just couldn't get a slipstream. Oscar didn’t give me a slipstream down to Turn 1! 

“It was hard to commit to the braking of 1, and Max got past.”

Norris explains lack of threat to Piastri

Norris repositioned himself ahead of Verstappen on lap 13 of the race but couldn't hunt down team-mate Piastri, who bagged his fifth win of the year.

Having recovered from the difficult opening lap to consolidate the runner-up spot at the chequered flag, Norris conceded he likely didn't have the pace to best Piastri in Barcelona under any circumstance.

“It was a long race,” he said. “I think we knew our pace was going to be strong, so I didn’t need to do anything too risky into Turn 1. 

“I don’t think I lost out in the race. I think Oscar drove a very good race and had a good day [in qualifying]. 

“I had the pace to go with him, but not enough to try and catch up and put him under threat.”