Norris, a bitter sweet achievement
A result to savour for Lando Norris in the Chinese Grand Prix, given that it was an unexpected one. Going into the race, McLaren had let slip that its car was not best suited to the characteristics of the track and everyone in the Woking team seemed convinced that apart from the Red Bulls, the Ferraris would also be out of reach. As things turned out, only the extra-planetary Max Verstappen, at the wheel of an Adrian Newey creation in a category all of its own with 21 wins from the past 23 races, was able to take the chequered flag ahead of Lando. Behind the Englishman were the two Ferraris and one of the Red Bulls, not forgetting the Aston Martins and Mercedes that were meant to be his actual competition.
The 24 year old Bristol-born driver was pretty much perfect from start to finish. He managed his tyres intelligently, was able to make the most of a bit of luck when it was time for a pit stop, even if his team on the pitwall was not particularly swift to react to the situation when the virtual Safety Car was brought into operation after Bottas retired with his engine on fire and he chose his battles wisely. He has developed these skills in the past eighteen months and has combined them with a natural turn of speed that has always been evident.
And yet, the result in Shanghai would also have left a slightly bitter taste in the mouth, when looking at the statistics hidden away in the results of every Grand Prix. Shanghai marked the 15th time that Norris has leapt onto a Formula 1 podium, which saw him extend a record he set in this year's Australian Grand Prix: no driver has ever finished on the podium so often without having made it to the top step and whatever happens next, that ‘record' is likely to be his for a while as his closest pursuers, Germany's Nick Heidfeld with 13 top three finishes and the Swede Stefan Johansson on 12, are long retired.
Why the pessimistic outlook? Well, the way things are going this year, it seems likely Norris could continue down this path as the top two places appear to be reserved at every race this season and, up until Suzuka, Ferrari looked like being the second best team, or even the best as was the case in Australia. So who would you bet on?
