One of the most interesting post-race comments to emerge after the Austrian Grand Prix came from Lando Norris. Reflecting on his seventh-place finish, the reigning Formula 1 world champion also took time to speak about Ferrari, having closely witnessed the Scuderia’s struggles during the race.
Lando Norris surprised by Ferrari’s lack of power
“Today it was really a shock to see Ferrari struggling so much,” Lando Norris told reporters in the Red Bull Ring paddock. He continued: “To be honest, I feel sorry for them. When you don’t have power and you’re forced to push to the limit both on the straights and through the corners, with these front tyres it’s simply not possible to do it. So it was a really difficult race for them.”
The McLaren driver suggested that Ferrari’s lack of straight-line performance made life extremely difficult throughout the race, forcing the drivers to overwork the tyres in an attempt to compensate for the deficit.
Ferrari power unit attracts attention for the wrong reasons
Lando Norris’ remarks closely echoed those made by Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the cooldown room before the podium ceremony. Both were surprised by Ferrari’s apparent lack of performance on the straights compared to its main rivals.
In particular, the Formula 1 championship leader explained that while overtaking Charles Leclerc he enjoyed a speed advantage of around 30 km/h, such was the difference that he even risked running into the back of the Ferrari before completing the move.
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