McLaren’s Lando Norris blames himself as critics question his mettle

McLaren's driver Lando Norris will start the May 18 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in fourth place on the grid. PHOTO: AFP

UPDATED May 18, 2025, 03:35 AM

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IMOLA, Italy - Lando Norris said he had been simply not quick enough after another disappointing qualifying session at Imola on May 17 left the McLaren driver facing accusations of crumbling under pressure.

Norris will start the May 18 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in fourth place on the grid while Australian teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri lines up on pole position for the third time in seven races this season.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell also qualified ahead of Norris.

The McLaren drivers had dominated practice, finishing all three sessions one-two with Norris quicker than Piastri in the May 17 final session before qualifying.

Then it all went wrong when it mattered.

"I made a lot of mistakes. Never good enough in my final lap in qualifying, everyone goes quicker and I go slower," said Norris, who is 16 points adrift of Piastri after leading the standings early on.