“When have they ever been bad?” – Lando Norris not surprised by Max Verstappen’s Qatar pole

Lando Norris was not surprised to see Max Verstappen claim post for F1 Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen managed a difficult sprint race in Qatar and finished eighth.

The Dutchman’s lack of pace in the RB20 was so lacking that he was unable to overtake Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.

But Verstappen came alive in qualifying for the grand prix, and beat George Russell to take his first F1 pole position since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.

Norris, who finished second in the sprint race, looked like he would be the favorite for pole heading into qualifying with McLaren excelling in the high-speed corners.

The British driver ultimately had to settle for third on the grid for Sunday’s race.

After qualifying, Norris was asked by Sky Sports if he was shocked to see Verstappen on pole in Qatar.

Norris responded: “No surprise at all. When have they ever been bad all season?

“It was a surprise that they were slow yesterday, not a surprise that they are fast today.”

It was a scrappy Q3 performance from Norris, who didn’t put a lap on the board until the dying moments of the session.

Regardless, Norris felt that McLaren did not have “the same potential” as Red Bull or Mercedes in qualifying for the Lusail International Circuit.

“I think so. I don’t think we’re as fast as they were today,” he said.

“I don’t think I could have done the same lap times. As a qualifying car we were a bit outside and didn’t have the same potential as Red Bull and Mercedes.

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“When have they ever been bad?” – Lando Norris not surprised by Max Verstappen’s Qatar pole | F1

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