Lando Norris has revealed his defeat at the British Grand Prix sparked a turning point in the 2024 Formula 1 season as it forced McLaren to refocus.
McLaren enters the final three rounds leading the constructors' championship, while Norris remains the only driver capable of edging Max Verstappen for the drivers' title.
However, the Briton's prospects are minimal, as a disastrous weekend for his chances in Brazil last time out saw Verstappen extend his lead to 62 points. If Verstappen only loses 2 to Norris in Las Vegas, he will be champion.
Regrets too, in the race for the drivers' title, but a season that remains “successful” according to him in the end.
Asked if being involved in a title fight brings increased focus every weekend, Norris said: “At 100%, fighting for a championship brings a lot more focus.”
“I think it changed a long time ago, honestly. I think it probably changed around Miami, in my 1st win of the year.”
“That's when we realized that this year could be a year where things could start to go well for us. It was obvious at that point that we needed to focus more, work more in all possible areas.”
“Some of that came afterwards, you know. I think we've seen a lot of times, probably races that we regret not winning. It's probably Silverstone which is the main race that didn't turn out as we should have.”
“We look back on it with a bit of regret that we didn’t finish in better positions than where we finished.”
“From Silverstone onwards there was more focus from everyone, including the mechanics and engineers, because it was becoming more and more real – yes, we were in a position we had worked for very hard.”
“I love it… there's more pressure and a little more nervousness, but I'm still very relaxed and calm about it all. So as much as it can go wrong, it can also go well , as it has been for us, we're competing against the best of the best, and it's been a fun year. I think whatever happens, it's still a successful season.”
Norris, who has driven in all of his F1 races so far with McLaren, conceded he was still getting used to competing at the highest level.
“I think I will always find it strange to have made it to F1. It was a childhood dream. Maybe it will take me a few more years to get used to it, to tell myself that I deserve to to be there more than thousands of other pilots.”
“But I still feel like it wasn't that long ago that I was watching this on TV and watching Fernando [Alonso]Lewis [Hamilton]Jenson [Button]all these guys.”
“Now it’s me in this position, so I still find it strange, but extremely cool at the same time and still lucky and honored to be in the position I’m in, especially with McLaren.”
