Norris relieved after Chinese GP scare: 'My worst nightmare'

Lando Norris  was relieved to help his McLaren team achieve an impressive one-two finish after he encountered a brake pedal issue in the closing stages of the race.

The 25-year-old got his 2025 Championship challenge off to a great start at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, winning the race in dominant fashion.

However, the Briton was markedly off the pace around the Shanghai International Circuit, making several mistakes during Sprint Qualifying and lacking fundamental pace in the subsequent Sprint race.

• Read Also: Chinese GP: Saturday's action in pictures

Third position for the start of the Sunday Grand Prix, ahead of rival Max Verstappen, was a welcome change of fortunes. His race was going steady until a few laps from the end, when a brake pedal issue threatened to undo his good work.

'We survived and got to the end'

The Mercedes of George Russell was closing in on Norris by several seconds per lap in the dying moments of the Grand Prix, but Norris ultimately managed to hang onto second place.

"A few fun moments. The start, I was hoping for exactly that, so Turn One went to plan," he said as he recounted his afternoon.

"Then George got me on the pit stops. I was a little bit nervous but our pace was a lot better in the second stint," said Norris after the race.

The McLaren driver congratulated teammate Piastri for winning the Chinese Grand Prix. He continued: "So a tough race just with the management. I don't think many people expected a one-stop today so it was good and Oscar drove well, he was quick the whole race.

"Tried to get close but in the end just couldn't. He deserved the win and drove very well all weekend. I'm happy with second, it's good points and great points for us as a team with a one-two. Just how we wanted the race to go."

Finally, Norris admitted that he was fearful he wouldn't make it to the chequered flag after suffering brake pedal issues as the race reached its climax. He added: "It's scary! It's like my worst nightmare.

"If I have a nightmare it's when the brakes are failing and I was losing two, three, four seconds [per lap] the last couple of laps. So I was a bit scared but we survived and got to the end."

Norris will be back behind the wheel of his MCL39 for the Japanese Grand Prix, which commences Sunday 6 April at 06:00 GMT (14:00 local time).

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