Lando Norris said after taking control of the drivers’ championship with victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix: “I’m ignoring all the people who are saying bad things to me.”
Norris won his second consecutive race this year and also won Saturday’s sprint, giving him a 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship and a 49-point lead over Max Verstappen with three races remaining.
The solidity of McLaren’s drivers was questioned by critics earlier this year after a series of small mistakes, but Norris decided to hit back when asked how he has managed to return to such great form recently.
“Ignore everyone who says bad things about you! Focus on yourself,” he said.
“The team has done a great job and they’ve given me a great car. We’re pushing hard every weekend and I’m pushing hard off the track. It’s rewarding. It’s not easy, that’s for sure.”
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Sao Paulo Grand Prix Highlights
Asked to elaborate on his comments at a press conference, Norris added: “Honestly, nothing special. But there are always people around you who try to bring you down a little bit. I think that’s pretty normal.”
“Also, when you’re on a big stage, there’s a lot of people talking, a lot of people saying things, a lot of people trying to influence and influence other people.
“Whether there’s a cheer or not, you can still hear it. It’s not the greatest thing. But I think it’s something I’ve done well over the past few months.”
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Lando Norris says hard work and a good team around him are the reasons for McLaren’s resurgence and lead in the F1 drivers’ championship
Norris: I cared too much.
Norris has been open and honest with the media since joining F1 in 2019, and has been the subject of controversy in recent seasons, with some believing his approach reveals weakness and emboldens his rivals. Last year, he revealed that he “could hardly eat” on race day.
The 25-year-old was booed after his commanding victory in Mexico City last month, but there were few cheers when he took to the podium in Sao Paulo on Sunday.
“I care a lot about people’s perspectives and how I’m portrayed in the media,” Norris continued.
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McLaren driver Lando Norris was booed by the crowd when he spoke about his win at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
“I probably cared too much. Even at the beginning of this year, I think I cared too much and I think it was probably affecting me in ways that weren’t the best.
“I’ve just learned to deal with those things better. It’s not that I don’t care, because I always want to make a good impression. I don’t want to be rude or do those things.
“But I always try to stand up for myself and say what I believe. That’s one of the things I’ve learned the most: just be true to yourself, be confident in yourself, believe in yourself, and speak your mind. So it’s more about keeping your head down and focusing on yourself.”
Norris: There’s no point in getting too excited yet.
Norris will have the chance to become the 11th British F1 driver to become world champion if he can maintain his lead over Piastri and Verstappen.
But he is not restless and says the title race can “change in a flash”, as Piastri’s off-season in Brazil proved.
He added: “It feels like another weekend. We came here to try to win and get as many points as possible and we did that. We did that in Mexico too, so it’s not a turning point either.”
“Those are great results. It’s exactly what I need and exactly what I’m fighting for every weekend and every day. I’m very happy, but there’s still a long way to go. So there’s no point in getting too happy or excited just yet.”
F1’s thrilling title race continues until the Las Vegas Grand Prix from November 21-23, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
