Lando Norris revealed how his McLaren Formula 1 car "came alive" during Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. The British driver put a difficult start to the season behind him to deliver a stunning lap in Q3 and quality third at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, behind only Max Verstappen's dominant Red Bull and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Norris had suggested five-or-six teams were faster than McLaren after securing points in Monaco last weekend but with teammate Oscar Piastri only held back by a small error in the final sector on the way to finishing 10th fastest, the Woking-based outfit returned to form. "Everyone keeps saying 'the car is improving' but really it has not changed much at all," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com . "It just suited the conditions, I think we both felt very comfortable - I think Oscar would have been up there too. "I don't know why, just into qualifying things started to come alive a bit more, low fuel, a bit more confidence on the rears and to lean on the car. "Where we are going to be is a tough one, on average we have been fifth or sixth best team, so I am not expecting a huge amount better. "But I still think we have a chance of racing the Alpines and maybe some of the others, I don't think we are racing the Astons, the Ferraris will be tough I think. "We weren't expecting to be P3 but we are, at the same time, if I make a one-tenth mistake and I would be five places further back. We just put everything together and did a good job."
Surges
Norris complained about 'surges' during the early stages of the session though the issue didn't seem to hold him back. "In Q1 I had it and cost me maybe half-a-tenth, a tenth," he explained. "But it is something you can tweak out."
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