Lando Norris triumphed at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking the second time he has claimed the top spot on the podium in his career. Following the race, the McLaren driver shared his thoughts on the weekend’s outcomes in Zandvoort and addressed various questions.
Question: Lando, congratulations on a fantastic performance. How satisfied are you with your race?
Lando Norris: It’s always fulfilling to win, so I’m very happy. Of course, the mood wasn’t the most optimistic right after the start, but the pace was amazing, and I managed to keep up with Max. I didn’t expect us to be so fast, but our speed was impressive. It’s always nice to have surprises like that.
Once I regained the lead, the race was relatively straightforward. I was able to maintain my pace throughout the race, feel confident, save some tires, and drive at my own speed. The car handled exceptionally well, which made things much easier for me, so I owe a big thanks to the team.
Q: Zandvoort hasn’t traditionally been a strong track for McLaren. Did the new components the team introduced this weekend contribute to your success?
Lando Norris: The new parts had a minor effect this weekend. I believe I would have won even without the upgrades. They didn’t make us significantly faster on this track, but whenever we add new components, they generally help. It’s not a case of simply putting something new on and questioning its effectiveness. The new parts performed exactly as we anticipated.
This is our first major update to the car since Miami. Yes, we faced some minor issues in other races, but they didn’t affect our speed. Compared to our competitors, we don’t frequently introduce new components, and Zandvoort was the first instance in quite a while where we added something to the car that allowed us to progress.
I’m not suggesting we weren’t competitive in the two months following Miami. We were the fastest in Budapest and performed well at other circuits like Barcelona and Silverstone. However, small details make a significant impact. I’m confident the car improved in Zandvoort. The new rear wing likely helped me overtake Max. Those little improvements certainly contribute to our progress.
Question: After the start when Max passed you, did you believe you could win?
Lando Norris: No, I didn’t. However, after the practice sessions, we were optimistic about our pace. My long-run pace on Friday was excellent, but I didn’t get to test it over a longer distance than 10-11 laps. You can never be certain about the dynamics over a full race distance of 72 laps.
Max’s pace looked strong on Friday. It wasn’t as if we thought overtaking him would be easy, but during the race, I managed to do so.
I should mention that I don’t often find myself in the lead, so I can’t always choose my strategy, conserve my tires, or drive on a clear track. However, all these elements ultimately contributed to this result. I just didn’t expect things to go this well.
After losing my position at the first corner, I surprisingly remained calm. Perhaps it was because I’m used to losing positions at the start and was prepared for that scenario.
I stayed calm and thought, “What can I do now?” I began to conserve my tires and gauge my expected pace. By the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th laps, I started catching up to Max, which gave me a sense of optimism. I felt I could overtake him on the track. I had two opportunities to do so. The first time I wasn’t close enough, but the second time I managed it.
Question: What can be done to prevent issues at the start in the future?
Lando Norris: Eliminate wheel spin.
Question: That sounds like a straightforward fix, but do you know how to achieve it?
Lando Norris: Of course not; otherwise, I would have had a better start. We know what it takes to have perfect starts. Now we’re discussing details. Since both Oscar and I had poor starts, there might be a deeper issue, or perhaps we misjudged something.
Oscar is one of the top starters, but I don’t consider myself as good as he is. I wouldn’t say I’m a bad starter, but I’m not as consistent as I need to be. I mentioned before this weekend that we needed more consistency. We’re working on it, and I feel I’ve improved my procedures, but clearly, not everything has come together yet.
Question: Looking ahead to the next race in Monza, do you think you will be as competitive there as you were in Zandvoort?
Lando Norris: I have no idea. You’re asking questions that imply we should know the answers, but we don’t. Anyone could be ahead: Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, or us. Ferrari was quite competitive in the race. We didn’t expect them to perform so well. Red Bull might have encountered more issues than anticipated, which could have played a role.
We have to keep focusing on our work – speculating about what may happen next weekend is pointless. We’ll find out when we get there. There’s no reason to get ahead of ourselves.
Question: Would you say that McLaren currently has the best car?
Lando Norris: Yes, absolutely. This weekend, our car was the best. I believe we have the best car on average. We’ve never been dominant, though. Even considering Hungary, many may not like to hear this, but Max was very quick there. He just didn’t have a great race despite his high pace.
We possess more information than those on the outside, allowing us to comment based on facts rather than guesses from those watching on TV. Overall, we have the best car, and we might have won two or three more races if we had performed better. We fell short because we didn’t execute our plan well enough; I didn’t do it well enough.
The team worked diligently during the summer break to take a step back, reassess, and try again. Yes, we have a fantastic car, and as I mentioned earlier, for the first time since Miami, we brought effective new components.
There’s still a long way to go. We need to keep working hard because Zandvoort was just one race. Monza is a completely different circuit, so we will continue improving ourselves.
Lando Norris Dominates the Dutch Grand Prix: Insights and Analysis
Lando Norris clinched victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his second career win. Following the race at Zandvoort, the McLaren driver shared his thoughts and reflected on a challenging yet successful weekend.
Lando Norris Reflects on His Victory
Q: Lando, congratulations on a fantastic performance. How pleased are you with your performance?
Lando Norris: It’s always satisfying to win, so it’s great. Of course, after the start, the mood wasn’t the most optimistic, but the pace was incredible. I was able to stay behind Max. I didn’t expect us to be so fast, but the speed was good. It’s nice to get surprises like that.
Race Strategy and Performance
Once I regained the lead, the race became more manageable. I was able to maintain a consistent pace, remain confident, and conserve the tires when necessary. The car handled exceptionally well, which made things easier for me, so a big thank you goes to the McLaren team.
The Impact of McLaren’s Upgrades
Q: Zandvoort hasn’t been a great fit for McLaren in previous years. Is it because of the new upgrades the team introduced?
Lando Norris: The new parts had some impact this weekend, but I believe I would have won even without them. While they didn’t necessarily make us faster on this track, introducing new components always helps. This was our first major update since Miami, which allowed us to take a step forward.
Key Upgrades and Their Effects
- New Rear Wing: This component likely aided my ability to overtake Max during the race.
- Enhanced Stability: The adjustments allowed better tire management and overall track performance.
- Increased Speed: Even with previous minor updates, the overall car speed showed improvement at Zandvoort.
Navigating the Race Dynamics
Q: After the start, when Max overtook you, were you confident that you would win?
Lando Norris: Honestly, no. But we felt confident about our pace after practice sessions. I managed to catch Max around the 10th to 13th laps, which gave me optimism. I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly, especially after dropping back at the start. I remained calm, assessed my pace, and plotted how to get past him.
Calmness Under Pressure
Lando highlighted the importance of staying composed during challenging moments on the track:
- Remaining calm helps maintain focus and strategy.
- Effective tire management becomes crucial when regaining position.
- Evaluating opportunities to overtake can turn the race in your favor.
Aiming for Improvement
Q: What needs to be done to avoid problems at the start in the future?
Lando Norris: The goal is to eliminate wheel spin during starts.
Addressing Start Issues
Q: Sounds like a simple solution, but how do you implement it?
Lando Norris: If I knew, I would have executed it better. Both Oscar and I experienced similar launch difficulties, indicating a deeper issue. We consistently work on starts, and while improvements have been made, there’s a need for greater consistency.
Looking Ahead to Monza
Q: Do you think you’ll be as competitive in Monza as you were in Zandvoort?
Lando Norris: It’s difficult to predict. Anyone could be competitive—Ferrari, Mercedes, or Red Bull. Ferrari performed well unexpectedly, while Red Bull faced some challenges. We need to focus on continuous improvement and not get too ahead of ourselves.
Current Status of the McLaren Team
Q: Is it fair to say McLaren has the best car at the moment?
Lando Norris: Absolutely. Our car performed at an optimal level this weekend and averaged well throughout the season. We could have won a couple more races if we had executed better strategies and decisions.
Future Goals for McLaren
The team is committed to ongoing development and addressing minor factors that can significantly affect performance:
- Continuing to research and implement effective upgrades.
- Emphasizing consistency and perfection in race starts and maneuvers.
- Preparing for different track dynamics at upcoming venues like Monza.
Case Study: Norris’ Winning Strategy in Zandvoort
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Starting Position | Initial drop from lead, leading to strategic tire management |
| Team Support | Effective communication and vehicle handling adjustments during the race |
| Pacing | Maintaining optimal pace and navigating overtakes carefully |
Lando Norris’ win at the Dutch Grand Prix showcases not only personal skill but also the synergy with his team and adaptive strategies in a challenging environment. As they aim for further success in the F1 season, the lessons learned from Zandvoort will be crucial for their performance in future races.