Norris targets damage limitation after tough Monaco qualifying

MONACO: Reigning Formula One world champion Lando Norris has shifted his focus to limiting damage at the Monaco Grand Prix after a difficult qualifying session left him eighth on the grid for Sunday’s race.

The McLaren driver admitted the team has struggled for pace throughout the weekend and said a podium challenge now appears unlikely on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are limited.

Norris endured a disrupted start to the weekend after an electrical issue forced him out of Friday’s second practice session, with McLaren mechanics working late into the night to repair the car.

Although the Briton made some progress in qualifying, a lock-up on his final flying lap prevented him from securing a higher starting position. He will begin the race alongside teammate Oscar Piastri on the fourth row.

“We’ve been on the back foot all weekend and qualifying showed that,” Norris said.

The 26-year-old acknowledged that Monaco’s tight street circuit leaves little room for recovery but said McLaren would remain alert to opportunities created by strategy calls or safety car interventions.

“Tomorrow we’ll be aggressive on strategy and ready to take chances, but overtaking is tough here, so we have to be realistic,” he said.

Norris added that McLaren’s immediate priority is improving the car’s rear stability and downforce ahead of next week’s race in Barcelona.

Piastri echoed his teammate’s concerns, saying McLaren had improved the car’s balance since Friday but remained short on outright speed.

“Anything can happen in Monaco, so let’s see what we can do,” the Australian said.

With both drivers starting outside the front three rows, McLaren appears set for a damage-limitation exercise rather than a genuine challenge for victory in Monaco.