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Lando Norris Reflects on Championship Win, Credits Management and Overcoming Early-Season Deficit
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Published December 24, 2024, at 13:24:49 PST
Norris Acknowledges Crucial Support System
Lando Norris has credited the management team around him for their role in his growth into a Formula 1 World Champion. He specifically recalled bringing a young driver to McLaren, emphasizing the long-term investment and nurturing required for success at the highest level of motorsport.
“I remember when he was about that big,” Norris said, referring to a past protégé. “The management he has around him have done an awesome job bringing him up to be the mature world champion that he now is. And it’s a great accomplishment. It’s very rewarding.”
Overcoming a Notable Points Gap
Norris faced a considerable challenge mid-season, trailing Oscar piastri by 34 points after the Dutch Grand Prix in late august, with only nine races remaining in the 2024 season. This deficit, however, marked the beginning of a remarkable run of form that ultimately propelled him to the championship title.The 2024 Formula 1 season saw a total of 24 races, making the late-season turnaround even more impressive.
the Dutch Grand Prix, held on August 25, 2024, at the Circuit Zandvoort, proved to be a turning point.Results from the race show Piastri extending his lead, setting the stage for Norris’s comeback.
Dispelling the Myth of “Nothing to Loose”
Contrary to external perceptions that the points gap might have liberated Norris to take more risks, he revealed that it actually increased the pressure. He didn’t feel a sense of freedom or a lack of consequence.
“No, it didn’t allow me to relax,” Norris explained. “Thirty-four points against a guy who had the same car, who was doing an incredible job, who I know is incredibly great, it didn’t fill me with confidence and (make me) think I have nothing to lose now.”
This statement highlights the intense competitive pressure within a top Formula 1 team, even when facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge. The psychological aspect of the championship battle is often underestimated, and Norris’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the mental fortitude required to succeed.
