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McLaren driver Lando Norris says he felt “afraid to brake anywhere” during Formula 1 practice for this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, because of a mystery pain that limited his mileage.
The Austrian Grand Prix podium finisher completed 29 fewer laps than McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr on Friday, as a precaution due to feeling pain when he’s on track.
Norris took painkillers on Friday to improve the situation, which he hopes will clear up in time for qualifying and the race.
“I’ve been struggling a bit physically, with I don’t know what, which has been pretty painful,” said Norris, who was eighth-fastest in second practice but is already carrying a three-place grid penalty for a yellow-flag infringement.
“We’ve had to cut down quite a few of the laps that we were planning to do just to make sure I’m in good condition for tomorrow. It’s not been ideal.
“I feel fine now, and walking around. But when I’m driving it’s something that causes me a lot of pain, particularly in the high speed corners and when I’m braking.
“It’s been pretty frustrating, I’ve not felt confident in the car in terms of pushing it and so on. Hopefully I can get fixed and be ready.
“It’s just something, I don’t know where, in my chest or something.
“I hit the brakes, and the compression, it spikes up massively, so I’m just afraid to brake anywhere, which is not ideal around here.”
Norris said it is not yet clear what is causing the pain.
“I’ve spoken to my specialist and tried to figure it out, but it’s not as obvious as just pointing it out,” he said.
“I’ve been on painkillers and whatever but it’s been setting me back.
“I don’t know what it is, it’s something we’ll have to look into and try to fix for the race.”
A McLaren spokesperson told The Race Norris’s issue was in his upper back, and that the decision to limit his running as a precaution would have minimal impact on the weekend given the level of circuit familiarity in the second week of the Red Bull Ring’s paired races.
Sainz and McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl believe the team cannot compete with the pace of Sergio Perez’s Racing Point, and Norris said the Mexican’s speed is a more accurate sign of his team’s performance level than they showed last weekend.
“The Racing Points were extremely quick today,” said Norris.
“It highlighted how good a job we did last weekend or how bad a job they did.
“Today we saw a bit more of a true representation of what they can achieve.
“But it wasn’t our smoothest of days. I’ve got a lot more to come if I was in top condition.
“The pace is there when I need it to be. I feel confident, the car feels nice, but me not so much.”
