Norris "doing the best job I've done" as he leads midfield home again
2021 Portuguese Grand Prix
3rd May 2021, 13:20 | Written by Dieter Rencken and Hazel Southwell
Lando Norris says he feels better placed to take advantage when a Mercedes or Red Bull driver slips up thanks to his increased confidence in his driving.
Since the final race of last year, Norris has been the first driver home behind the Mercedes and Red Bull races in every round. Fifth place in yesterday's race followed his podium appearance at Imola, placing him third in the championship.
The McLaren driver has been open about his struggles with anxiety and has been extremely self-critical for his perceived errors in the past. But Norris says his confidence has grown in his third year in Formula 1.
"I definitely feel like I'm doing the best job I've done," he said. "Probably these first three races all together have been better than any other race I've done.
"It obviously starts on Friday with the preparation side of things. But executing my laps in qualifying, not making mistakes, being attacking in those opening laps: I started P7 and I got to P4 and that was not just because I was quick, it was because I did a better job with the racing, preparing myself with the lines and things like that.
Norris says his confidence has grown
"So I'm confident, or I've got some confidence and at times last year and in year one, I struggled with that and I think now I have a better amount of it," he explained. "Sometimes I'm still not confident with the car and with myself, but I'm definitely higher and in a better position than I have been so that helps."
However he is unsure whether McLaren will be able to continue leading the midfield, as they face a growing threat from rival manufacturer teams.
"We'll see," he said on Sunday evening. "Today we were probably a little bit better than we were expecting, more so after yesterday.
"We struggled a little bit and Alpine were very fast, but today was a little bit more back to how we thought it should and could go. I think we can be confident we're probably the most consistent team at the moment, around that third, fourth, fifth area. We're doing a good job.
"It doesn't mean we're going to be there every single race. I think we've seen how much Alpine improved this weekend, comparing to Imola. And it can be the same for us, it can be the same for AlphaTauri, it can be the same for Ferrari. So if we get mixed around a little bit, I think it's expected but we have to just keep working hard."
Norris started the Portuguese Grand Prix seventh but was able to move up to fourth – where he felt he could have qualified – by passing Esteban Ocon, Carlo Sainz Jnr and Sergio Perez.
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"The first one was just a good battle with Esteban. I got him in the first few corners. He got me back again and then I got him with quite a good move in turn 11 – so a good little battle.
"And then I got two cars on the restart, I got Carlos because I kind of saw him bustling with with Sergio in the first couple of corners so I was able to sit back a little bit, prepare my line and have a good opportunity to get ahead of both of them, which I wish I managed to do."
His move on Perez proved only temporary, however. "Sadly, we don't have the pace to stay ahead of a Red Bull just yet."
Despite the gap in outright pace, Norris said he was ready to take advantage of any time he could pass a top four car. "I'm doing what I can. I think in the first two races we had opportunities to do it and when they make mistakes, we can be ahead like in Imola, like when he overtook, he had the pit stop penalty and things like that, then you take advantage of it.
"When I overtook him today, we took advantage of it but we can't always back it up on our pace that we have. So we're making the most of the opportunities at the moment. We definitely need just a little bit more pace and performance to be able to do it consistently or be confident with it."
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Posted on 3rd May 2021, 13:20 Author Dieter RenckenCategories 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix, F1 newsTags 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix, 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix reaction, F1, F1 Autodromo do Algarve, F1 Portugal, F1 Portugal 2021, formula 1, Grand Prix of Portugal, lando norris, norris, portuguese grand prix
15 comments on "Norris "doing the best job I've done" as he leads midfield home again"
Rodber
3rd May 2021, 13:24
Norris is third in the standings, ahead of Bottas in the Merc rocket machine.
I have a growing suspicion we are seeing Bottas' last season in F1.
I wouldn't count on it, wolff insists with bottas and unless red bull can REALLY bring a car that makes him regret the decision, I think bottas isn't leaving mercedes.
He's good enough to drive a midfield car in any case.
JL (@j-l)
Lando is seriously impressive this year, hats off!
He's rebuilding McLaren.
Very impressive. Good qualifying, good starts, good racing, good staying power, consistent from race to race. Top drawer stuff.
Making Ricciardo look ordinary is no mean feat, although that will surely even out as Daniel gets used to the tricky-to-drive car.
The preparation talk reminds me during the down-season last year when he was simracing a lot and explaining how he was improving with lines, analysis etc, which is surely what he's been continuing to do. Some drivers say they don't use simulator tools as much, but this says they should.
Adunlucas
If McLaren gives him a car within 0.2s from better car next year he'll fight for championship. I don't think Riccardo will be able to stop him. In equal conditions he can beat Verstapen and Hamilton. I really don't think he would do worse than Verstapen if he were at RB since last year in current conditions.
stjs16 (@stjs16)
If McLaren can keep him!
4th May 2021, 11:16
Or maybe Lando will be the chosen one?
George Russell never really delivers on Sundays, Lando Norris is the real deal
Yaru (@yaru)
Probably cos Lando is not driving a Williams……..
obster
He can really make those tires last a long time. Held off the Ferrari again. Well done.
DRicc should have stayed at Renault, but it is only three races in.
keep in mind there is less testing this season so it is harder to get uses to a new car and team.
macaque (@macaque)
5th May 2021, 8:02
While George Russell impressed in Bahrain last year, it seems to me Lando is really making a case for himself to be chosen by Mercedes or Red Bull in the next few years. Especially if he keeps being consistent like this, if he gets podiums, and if he beats Daniel over a season.
Toto and Christian should really be keeping an eye on him. Out of the 4 people driving for them at the moment, I think only Max will be at one of those two teams 2-3 years from now and beyond, fighting for wins and championships. And if Leclerc stays at Ferrari, whoever doesn't have Max needs someone to lead the team – and that might be Lando, not George (but it could also be both).
How long is Lando's contract at McLaren? Not sure Zak Brown would let him go like they let Carlos go to Ferrari.
Hazel Southwell (@hazelsouthwell)
@macaque amazingly, he's actually not signed after this season… (although you would have to assume that was a bit of a formality)
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