{
  "id": 11681817,
  "title": "Lando Norris worried about Sepang track after difficult Bahrain GP qualifying",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/lando-norris-worried-about-sepang-track-after-difficult-bahrain-gp",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T12:35:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2026/10/03/lando-norris-worried-about-sepang-track-after-difficult-bahrain-gp-qualifying/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "World champion Lando Norris expressed concern about his McLaren's performance on the Malaysia track following a tough qualifying session at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Norris finished sixth in Bahrain, trailing pole sitter Max Verstappen by a tenth of a second. However, Norris will start fifth at Sepang after Red Bull driver Isaac Hadjar received a grid penalty. Norris was disappointed with his car's performance on the tarmac, stating, \"We are just slow. The car's not good enough here.\" He noted that the surface is significantly different from other tracks and that Mercedes struggled more than expected. Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season, while Hamilton managed to snatch second place in the final moments of qualifying.",
  "summary": "World champion Lando Norris feared his McLaren will struggle in Malaysia's track after a challenging qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Norris qualified sixth fastest and was sixth tenths of a second slower than pole sitter Max Verstappen in Sepang, which is hosting an F1 race after nine years. However, Norris will start fifth after Red Bull's Isack Hadjar received a grid penalty that drops…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lando Norris worried about McLaren's Sepang performance.",
    "Norris sixth in Bahrain, starting fifth at Sepang.",
    "Norris called car \"slow\" on Malaysia track."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Lando Norris worried about Sepang track after difficult Bahrain GP qualifying",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/lando-norris-worried-about-sepang-track-after-difficult-bahrain-gp-11682067",
        "published": "2026-10-03T12:35:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}