Lando Norris expressed mixed feelings about his first Formula 1 sprint race victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, acknowledging he didn’t win on pure merit. Although Norris claimed the win, he admitted his teammate, Oscar Piastri, deserved to take the victory, as Piastri had started from pole and maintained a strong pace. McLaren’s team orders led to Piastri allowing Norris through in the closing laps, prioritizing Norris’s points in his championship battle with Max Verstappen. Norris thanked both McLaren and Piastri for their cooperation but felt uncomfortable about securing a win in this manner, emphasizing he would have preferred to achieve the victory without assistance.
Norris faced mounting pressure from Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as he awaited Piastri’s compliance with the team orders. He explained that Verstappen’s speed was a concern toward the end of the race, making him anxious about his ability to secure the win even with the position swap. Acknowledging Piastri’s strong performance, Norris expressed gratitude to his teammate while admitting it was not an ideal way to secure a win. Nevertheless, he underscored that prioritizing points in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships was McLaren’s main objective, and the team needed to make these strategic decisions to support those goals.
Coordination between Norris and Piastri was crucial to avoid risks while executing the swap, with Norris noting that they discussed timing and approach to ensure safety. Their goal was to manage the situation as smoothly as possible without compromising either driver’s position or safety. This teamwork allowed them to respond effectively under pressure, achieving the desired outcome while minimizing risk. Norris described the execution as precisely what McLaren intended, reflecting the team’s commitment to both individual and collective success.
Despite the team’s victory, Norris admitted he was taken aback by Verstappen’s closing pace, which intensified in the final laps after Verstappen passed Leclerc for third place. Norris felt confident in his speed throughout the race and anticipated a smooth finish once he was in front. However, he realized that Piastri needed the Drag Reduction System (DRS) advantage to maintain his position and opted to ease off slightly to assist his teammate. This mutual support underscored McLaren’s collaborative approach, with Norris acknowledging he ultimately benefited from the team’s strategy.
Looking forward, McLaren remains optimistic about maintaining their front-row dominance in the main race, though Norris is wary of unpredictable weather conditions in Sao Paulo, which could impact their advantage. He noted that McLaren’s current strength lies in dry conditions, and he hopes for similar weather during the upcoming race. The team’s strong performance in the sprint race has set high expectations, and Norris appears prepared to adapt to whatever challenges may arise in the main event.
