Lando Norris rues 'unfortunate' Oscar Piastri situation

Lando Norris has admitted McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri was “unfortunate” not to win the Japanese Grand Prix last Sunday.

The Australian soared into the lead of the race on the opening lap following a strong launch off the lead and held onto the top position until the pit stop phase of the race.

Moments after Piastri opted to pit, a safety car was called and provided Kimi Antonelli with a cheap pit stop.

Antonelli went on to win the grand prix while Piastri was forced to settle for second place. With Norris behind in fifth, the Briton has admitted disappointment that McLaren couldn't seal its first win of the year.

“It was a good race from my side,” Norris told media including RacingNews365. “Of course, it looks like it maybe could have been better with Oscar finishing second.

“That's a very good thing for the team. He drove a very good race, and probably deserved to win the race, honestly, if it wasn't for the safety car. 

“Unfortunate from that side, that would have been good to see.”

McLaren has failed to pick up where it left off last year at the head of the pecking order with just one podium in the opening three rounds.

However, Norris asserted there are reasons to be positive about McLaren's direction.

“The first few weekends have not been so good, and this weekend was much better for us,” he said.

“Going in the right direction, although we didn't change too many things, and we have some good things coming, I hope.

“It's already a positive that we put up such a strong race like we had here. So, positives, some things we know we need to work on, but otherwise a good day for McLaren.