McLaren's Lando Norris dismisses ‘unbeatable' tag amidst dominant start to F1 season
Suzuka, Japan – Lando Norris has fervently rebuffed claims that McLaren's Formula 1 car is "unbeatable," labeling such assertions as "nonsense." Despite McLaren's strong entry into the 2024 season, including victories secured by both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri, the British driver believes declarations of premature championship conclusions are misguided.
Piastri's recent triumph in China, which saw him lead a McLaren one-two finish, placed the spotlight on Norris and the supposed invincibility of their vehicle. In the aftermath, a significant 11-second gap separated George Russell's Mercedes from the McLaren duo, further inflaming discussions about the team's dominance.
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Norris addressed these narratives head-on, stating, “I think the people that say that, like the ‘unbeatable’ stuff is just nonsense, they just like to talk crap sometimes,” emphasizing the media's role in discerning fact from fiction. “It's your job as the media to figure out these things, I think, and not just listen to what everyone says and write what they say.”
Norris admitted that McLaren currently boasts the quickest car, but dismissed any notion of invincibility, attributing the team's success to the caliber and synergy of its drivers. “I think just the fact we have two good drivers is obviously making the biggest difference,” Norris noted. He acknowledged that both he and Piastri have made significant improvements to their driving capabilities.
Only a year ago, McLaren faced a daunting challenge with a winless start, compounded by Red Bull's formidable pace. A pivotal turning point occurred with the introduction of a crucial upgrade at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024, where Norris seized his first Formula 1 victory, significantly altering McLaren's trajectory.
Reflecting on the disparity from a year prior, Norris highlighted the substantive gap that Red Bull held during that period. “The car Red Bull had at this time last year was a lot better than what we have now, compared to our competitors. So I think you have to take that into account,” he explained.
As McLaren now finds itself in the coveted position of frontrunner, Norris embraces the role, viewing it as motivational rather than burdensome. “We all feel good as a team, knowing that we have a strong car, not always the easiest car to drive, but a very strong car and the strongest car on the grid,” he said. With an eye on continuous enhancement, McLaren aims to maintain its edge, avoiding complacency by channeling external pressure into further achievements.
Norris concluded by advising caution against baseless conjectures, encouraging journalists to pursue verifiable truths amidst rampant speculation. “People love to talk and just say random things and stuff, that’s not true, but I hope that you guys are the ones that figure out, the people who talk crap and nonsense and figure out, you know, what the facts are of it,” he asserted.
As the championship battle continues, McLaren's quest for sustained excellence serves as a reminder of the ever-competitive nature of Formula 1.
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