Lando Norris called out by F1 fans for what he said after disappointing Chinese Grand Prix sprint qualifying

Lando Norris has been called out by Formula One fans for what he said after a disappointing showing in sprint qualifying ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Norris started the 2025 season in stunning fashion by winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position last weekend, seeing off Max Verstappen and George Russell to seal victory in the opener.

Having came out on top in qualifying, Norris led for the majority of the race and claimed a first McLaren win at the Melbourne circuit since Jenson Button in 2012.

But while many expected Norris picked up with where he left off in Shanghai after setting the pace in practice, it was a frustrating qualifying sequence for Norris.

He was flying early on in the sprint but he did not finish well and costly errors meant he had to settle for sixth place on the grid. His teammate Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, secured third place behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen of Red Bull.

Afterwards, he spoke to Sky Sports and acknowledged errors made, while also stressing that he was encountering serious issues with driving the car.

Lando Norris came fifth in sprint qualifying. Image: Getty

"Just not quick enough, simply. We struggled a lot with the car. Our difficulties that we've been struggling with showed a lot more today," Norris said.

"Our difficulties that we've been struggling with showed a lot more today. So nothing more than that, honestly. Just too many mistakes, it is just too difficult of a car to drive,

“I think just throughout the day we've been struggling a bit with the front locking and struggling a lot in the last corner with all the tailwinds. So it is kind of a lot more aligned with Bahrain [pre-season testing]. Just a lot windier when the wind's blowing, then we struggle a lot more.

“So I think both myself and Oscar struggled more, clearly me more than him. So, yeah, just pushing a bit hard to try and make up for not quite being quick enough.”

But given he was victorious in the very same car last week, fans didn't hesitate to lay into Norris' claims in brutal fashion - with some urging him to own up to his failings.

One fan on X said: "Same car that he won with last week. Translated to. I didn’t set the car up properly and made mistakes. Come on lando. Own it 100% then learn and smash it on all counts next time."

A second wrote: "Thought it was the driver, not the car? Changed his tune again

A third commented: "Bros crying about his rocket ship of a car. Back to bottling again just like last season."

A fourth added: "What excuse is this. I’m a McLaren fan to me he’s making excuses this early into the season yikes."

Hamilton takes pole position

While Norris didn't fare well, Hamilton had a great sprint qualifying and achieved a time of 1m 30.849s SQ3 to narrowly beat rival Verstappen.

The seven-time world champion set a new record on the Shanghai International Circuit and was stunned over the achievement, asking his team "Really?” while laughing over the Ferrari team radio.

“To come here, to a track I love, Shanghai – a beautiful place, the weather has been amazing and the car came alive from lap one," Hamilton said moments after embracing his father, Anthony.

"We made some great changes, the team did a fantastic job in the break to get the car ready. I’m a bit in shock. I can’t believe we get a pole for the sprint race. It puts us in good stead for the race.”

Hamilton has a strong record in China, with his six wins more than any other driver.