Last weekend, Lando Norris claimed victory in Brazil, moving closer to his aspiration of becoming an F1 world champion. His teammate and rival, Oscar Piastri, finished fifth, while reigning champion Max Verstappen, who bested Norris in 2024, trailed by 49 points, seemingly out of contention.
Despite the opportunity to revel in his triumph during the mandatory post-race interview, Norris expressed disappointment in the team’s pace compared to Red Bull. He acknowledged the win but highlighted the need for faster performance, focusing on analyzing where improvements could be made.
Norris’ remarks underscored a significant difference in mindset between the two McLaren drivers. Earlier this year, the British driver grappled with finding a balance between striving for perfection and overly criticizing himself, a struggle that garnered attention and debate within the F1 community.
While his mental approach was a hot topic for months, Norris remained steadfast in his belief that his method would lead him to success. Now, with a 24-point lead heading to Las Vegas, his confidence seems justified.
Despite facing backlash from fans in recent races, including booing related to team directives at Monza, Norris has maintained his composure. Embracing the possibility of being disliked may have transformed him from a struggling early favorite to a formidable contender.
The outcome of the championship race remains uncertain, but Norris remains committed to his methodical, race-by-race strategy. He refuses to celebrate prematurely, keeping his focus on achieving the ultimate goal of claiming the world champion title.
Harry Smith, the F1 Correspondent at Reach PLC, contributes to race coverage and provides insights and opinions for the Express and Mirror publications.