Unlike team-mate Oscar Piastri, Norris has benefitted this weekend from the major upgrades brought to the MCL60 for the Red Bull Ring. His car was fitted with a new floor and sidepod design.
He used the revised machine to snare fourth in the Friday qualifying session to determine the grid for the full grand prix and then went one better in the Saturday shootout to land third for the 24-lap sprint bout.
However, Norris lasted only three corners before dropping down on his way to an eventual ninth place.
It appeared as though the McLaren might have been caught up in the frenetic early battle between Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
But Norris clarified that he had avoided contact and instead had triggered anti-stall at Turn 3 and that "cost me everything".
Speaking to Sky Sports, Norris explained: "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."
Source: Autosport