Lando Norris has brushed off his critics and surged ahead in the Formula One World Championship after a commanding victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The McLaren driver arrived in Brazil with just a slim one-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri, but his dominant performances both in the sprint and main race have extended his advantage to 24 points as the season enters its final stages.
Following a sprint win on Saturday, Norris put in a flawless drive on Sunday, capitalizing on Piastri’s misfortunes—who crashed in the sprint and later received a penalty for causing a collision—while finishing fifth. Max Verstappen’s recovery from the pit lane to third demonstrated his skill but left him 49 points behind Norris in the title race.
At just 25, Norris has shown resilience and maturity under pressure. Despite being jeered by some fans in Mexico and Sao Paulo, he remains undeterred. Reflecting on his recent form, Norris said, “Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you and focus on yourself.”
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He acknowledged the challenges of dealing with negativity on the big stage: “There will always be people trying to bring you down. You hear cheers and boos alike. It’s not easy, but I’ve learned to handle it better over the past few months.”
Norris admits he used to care deeply about how the media and others viewed him, but he’s now focusing on maintaining confidence and authenticity. “It’s more about keeping my head down, concentrating on myself, making my point thoughtfully, and staying true to who I am.”
Once trailing Piastri by 34 points after a mechanical failure in Zandvoort, Norris’s turnaround has been impressive. With only three rounds remaining—Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—he can afford to finish just behind Piastri and still clinch the title.
Praising the team’s efforts, Norris said, “We’re pushing hard every weekend and even off the track. This win feels great because it hasn’t come easy. I don’t think we were the quickest today, but I’m happy to take the victory after a perfect weekend.”
When asked if he is starting to dream of becoming world champion, he remained grounded: “No, not yet. The competition is tight and anything can happen. My focus is on myself, keeping calm and pushing forward.”