Norris says anti-stall 'cost me everything' in Sprint
Lando Norris says he "lost everything" on the opening lap of Saturday's Sprint event in Austria after his anti-stall kicked in at Turn 3 as he tried to avoid a collision with Max Verstappen.
The McLaren driver was optimistic of achieving a strong result in race trim after qualifying fourth for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix on Friday.
In Saturday's Sprint Shootout session he enjoyed another strong performance that placed him third on the afternoon race's grid.
Norris enjoyed a good launch off the line and ran cleanly through the first corner before trailing Perez and Verstappen as the field powered towards Turn 3.
But as he braked for the uphill hairpin, he nearly came to a standstill behind Verstappen who had run deep into the corner to fend off Perez.
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In the commotion, the McLaren's anti-stall was triggered, bogging down Norris who was then swallowed by over half a dozen cars on the exit of the corner.
"I just got a bit sideways and just went into anti-stall and I was revving in Turn 3. So that cost me everything. I don't know why it happened.
"My Turn 3 was OK, I think. It was obviously quite close, but I just went into anti-stall, so I lost everything.
"I was basically in neutral [revving], watching everyone drive past."
Norris eventually concluded his race in ninth position, having not swapped his inters for slick tyres, contrary to Haas' Nico Hulkenberg and Mercedes George Russell who finished ahead of the Briton.
"It was a tough decision," he admitted. "The guys [who pitted] only managed just to get back through on the last lap so it was tough. It's such a difficult one to know.
"You can look like heroes. Either way, it's not like a 'yes' or 'no' answer. I'm happy with our decision of staying out.
"If there's a safety car, if there's something, then the other guys look like idiots. This way, we look like idiots.
"It goes and comes your way sometimes. We lost two positions in the last couple of laps, but we already lost it really at Turn 3 on lap one."
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