Lando Norris apologises to McLaren after failing to score any points on F1 debut
LANDO NORRIS has apologised to his McLaren team after failing to score points on his F1 debut.
The Brit, 19, started eighth but came home in 12th place after making a few mistakes and dropping positions.
He still finished ahead of his team-mate, Carlos Sainz after his car caught fire and was forced to retire.
Norris said: “I’m a bit annoyed because there was a lot more potential. The car had the pace to be in the top 10.
“Basically I let everyone down so I need to make sure that doesn’t happen again. The possibility was there to finish in the points was there.
“I just made a couple of mistakes that put be outside of it which is why I’m not as happy as what I was on Saturday.”
While Norris was self-critical, fellow Brit George Russell was pleased to get through his debut without incident.
Russell, 21, was down in 16th place in his Williams, who endured a difficult weekend in Melbourne.
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And he says that despite being in his debut season, he is confident he is the man to lead the Grove team forward.
He added: “I’m happy that I got through it with no dramas. We learned a lot. But obviously we’re not here to fight for last.
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“We’ve just got to analyse everything now, wake up Monday morning and try and put a plan together.
“I’m a fighter, I’m a winner, and I’m not interested in just battling my team-mate for the back of the grid.
“I am happy to be the team’s leader. That’s the job of a driver really, it’s not like junior formula when you just get in and drive as quickly as you can.
“It’s on my shoulders at the moment to push the team in the right direction. I’ve got their full support and it is a process.”