Lando Norris delivered a striking perspective on Max Verstappen’s performance at the recent São Paulo Grand Prix, acknowledging that if Verstappen had started at the front, he likely would have “lapped” Norris in his McLaren. Starting on pole, Norris ended up in sixth place after an ill-timed pit stop for fresh tires just before a red flag in wet conditions at Interlagos. Meanwhile, Verstappen, who started in 17th, climbed through the pack to break his 10-race winless streak, securing a decisive victory and extending his lead in the championship standings.
McLaren’s Struggles and Red Flag Misfortune
Despite a new rear wing, McLaren lacked the speed to compete with Red Bull’s dominant pace. Norris reflected that while his car’s setup was optimized, the Red Bull was “way faster.” The British driver expected to finish third, though the timing of the red flag and a safety car restart caused him to lose critical ground. He commended George Russell, who briefly led before pitting, and expressed that Russell perhaps “deserved” the win that day. Ultimately, Norris’s assessment acknowledged that Verstappen’s skill and car performance would have given him an edge even without the red flag.
A Lesson in Resilience for Norris
This race left Norris reflecting on minor mistakes that contributed to his sixth-place finish, admitting he could have avoided some errors. Despite this setback, he took full responsibility, reinforcing his drive to improve as the championship continues.
