‘My worst nightmare’ – Norris rues glaring tyre troubles in underwhelming China Sprint as Piastri reflects on P2 finish

McLaren’s Lando Norris had a Sprint to forget in China as an error on the opening lap and difficulty with managing his tyres around the high-grip circuit left him claiming just a single point.

After charging to victory in the season opener in Melbourne, the Briton’s weekend in Shanghai got off to a frustrating start with a mistake in Sprint Qualifying – Norris looking like he could easily challenge for pole position, before failing to set a flawless lap and ending up P6.

READ MORE: Hamilton storms to Sprint victory and first Ferrari win in China ahead of Verstappen and Piastri

There was a hope that he would surge forward in the 19-lap Sprint, but an early attempt to pass the Mercedes of George Russell for fifth saw Norris drop a wheel in the dirt and lose several spots, falling back to P9.

It then took the majority of the remaining laps to pass Lance Stroll for the final point as he was repeatedly heard lamenting the condition of his tyres around the track, which was recently resurfaced ahead of this weekend.

Speaking after the Sprint, Norris conceded that his mistake on the first lap certainly “didn’t help”, adding that he “just went in a bit hot so [that’s] on me”.

“I just struggled after that,” he added. “I didn’t really have any pace. I struggle a lot in these conditions with the front graining – it’s like my worst nightmare so a lot of work to do. I was just struggling a lot out there.”

SPRINT START: Watch the opening lap of the Sprint in China as Hamilton and Verstappen duel into Turn 1

The Woking outfit have a short period to regroup ahead of a crucial qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix, but while Norris faced concerns with his performance, his team mate secured his first podium of the season.

Oscar Piastri nursed the tyres to execute a late overtake on Max Verstappen and cross the line in second place, giving him a significantly different view on the team’s chances for the Grand Prix.

He said: “I think it was a really productive Sprint – obviously finishing second is always a great result. I think I really learned a lot in that one. As much as the result is nice, I think the way I got the result is an encouraging thing.

“We didn’t quite have enough pace for Lewis [Hamilton] out front but I think we’ve got some good ideas for this afternoon and tomorrow and see if we can go one spot better.

“I think we’ve got good pace in the car. We’ve clearly got a lot of competition this weekend – the Ferraris look pretty rapid so we’ve got to be on our best form.”