Lando Norris attributes his impressive late-season charge in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship to a simple yet effective approach: ignoring the noise. The British McLaren driver emphasized that his focus on blocking out distractions and criticism has been key to his success as he vies for the title.
Following a commanding pole-to-flag victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Norris extended his championship lead to 24 points over teammate Oscar Piastri with just three races left. This milestone marks McLaren’s first Brazilian win since Jenson Button triumphed in 2012, making the weekend particularly memorable for Norris and the team.
“It was a perfect weekend,” Norris said. “We might not have been the fastest on track today, but I’m just happy to take the win. I ignore everyone who talks crap and keep my focus on myself and the team, who have provided me with an excellent car.”
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Despite his strong performance, Norris expressed reservations about his pace relative to rivals, particularly impressed by Max Verstappen’s relentless recovery from a pit lane start to finish third without the aid of rain — a feat that demonstrated the Red Bull driver’s resilience.
“It’s a great win, but seeing how quick Max was today, I’m a bit disappointed we weren’t quicker. That’s where my focus lies right now,” Norris admitted.
Verstappen himself acknowledged the uphill battle he faces in closing the 49-point gap to Norris and realistically assessed the situation post-race: “We lost too many points early in the season. Staying in contention this long was a surprise, but we have to be realistic now.”
Emerging talent Kimi Antonelli impressed by holding off Verstappen in the closing laps and achieving his best F1 finish to date. The promising Mercedes driver remains optimistic about potentially securing his first win before the season concludes.
Meanwhile, Ferrari endured another challenging race with Charles Leclerc’s crash and Lewis Hamilton’s retirement due to damage. The seven-time world champion voiced his disappointment but vowed to return stronger in upcoming races.
Norris’s blend of mental discipline and team support has proven crucial as he distances himself from rivals, positioning him as the favorite in the closing stages of what promises to be a thrilling championship battle.