Lando Norris has jokingly called for Max Verstappen not to hold him up when he starts behind him at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. Norris put in an impressive performance in Saturday's qualifying session to clinch P3 on the grid, with Verstappen starting in pole while Carlos Sainz sits in P2. After a difficult day for McLaren on Friday, the Briton admits that his result came as quite a surprise. "I think after FP1, we said it was probably one of our worst FP1s of the season, in terms of pace," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com . "So to be sat here [in P3], I think it's quite a big surprise for all of us. I think [in] the conditions – the cooler conditions – things just started to come our way a little bit. [It] just feels a bit odd. "I definitely wasn't thinking at all to be in the top three. But I'm very happy to be here so, [it's been a] good day."
Extra motivation from P3 result
With McLaren having faced some struggles during the opening races of the 2023 F1 season, Norris admits that achieving such a result provides extra motivation. "I felt confident [in the session], even with the car being a bit of a struggle," he explained. "I still felt confident in maximising it and getting the most out of the car [on] every run. Especially come qualifying, I just felt again another step of confidence. "[It] felt good, especially when you get to see your name at the top a bit more often! It definitely just motivates you that little bit more. [It's a] good position for [the race]."
Norris: Maybe I can overtake Verstappen!
When asked about how confident he felt for the race, Norris joked: "Not very! Yeah, not very. "You never know, the pace could be mega and I could catch Max and overtake him. Hopefully he doesn't hold me up like in Monaco, but we'll see! "It's a new day, we didn't expect to be as good [in qualifying] as we were and, like Carlos said, we're on the clean side of the grid. I let him have this one because I want to make it out of the track alive [after the session]! "We'll do our best for [on Sunday], but the aim is just to get some good points for both myself and for Oscar [Piastri]."
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