World Championship leader Lando Norris won both the sprint race and the main race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, starting from pole position twice and collecting the maximum number of points. Nevertheless, the McLaren driver did not speak of a flawless performance afterwards.
His actually “great weekend” didn’t go completely smoothly, as the McLaren driver himself said on Sunday in Sao Paulo.
What bothered Lando Norris at the Brazilian Grand Prix? It was the relatively small lead of just under 10.7 seconds over Red Bull opponent Max Verstappen at the end of the race.
“In Mexico we were 30 seconds ahead, and I was more satisfied with the balance there. This time it was only ten seconds, and Max Verstappen was closing in pretty quickly at the end. So our pace wasn’t outstanding,” said the World Cup leader on Sunday and continued: “And because we set ourselves high standards, there are a few things for us to analyze.”
Norris is already thinking about the next races
Despite the self-criticism, Norris also knew what he had achieved this weekend: “As a driver, you always complain about something. But overall we implemented it very well: I was there in every session when it mattered. That’s exactly why I flew to Brazil: I wanted to get the maximum possible points. I succeeded.”
With the double victory in the sprint race and the main race, the 25-year-old further expanded his lead in the World Championship standings – but he doesn’t want to have too much confidence: “That’s no reason to get euphoric just yet,” emphasized Norris. “I’m happy, but there’s still a long way to go. I need to continue to have strong results, week after week.”
He is already turning his attention to the coming races – and to three-time world champion Max Verstappen. “I’m sure he’ll be a threat again in the next few races. He always is. He’ll give everything until the end. And who knows what will happen in the championship?”
Next up is the Las Vegas Grand Prix (November 21st to 23rd), the third last race weekend this season.