Doha – 27 Nov (LatestNewsX) – Lando Norris, the McLaren race driver, said his mentality regarding the Drivers’ Championship hasn’t shifted, even after the disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
His current points total is 24 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri and engine‑powered rival Max Verstappen, who took pole at the Las Vegas race.
When asked if the loss had rattled him, Norris replied: “No. It doesn’t help. I think from what I had to do in the race, there was already some expectation that it might happen so it wasn’t a shock or a surprise.”
“We knew we were having a lot more issues than we ever expected during the race. Maybe it would have hurt more if we won the race, but we didn’t so it doesn’t change anything. There’s no point being too sad about it.”
“Of course, everyone in the team was a bit gutted about the result because there’s a lot of effort that goes into it. It was frustrating, but actually I was quite okay. I’m just excited to go again this weekend. It doesn’t change anything – I want to try and win here in Qatar and I want to try and win in Abu Dhabi. It sucks, but that’s life sometimes.”
Norris also acknowledged that an increase in the plank height for the coming Qatar GP would likely boost the car’s speed, helping both drivers.
He said: “We’ll probably be quicker now we have to put it up because I won’t have to back off everywhere. Everyone thinks it’ll make us slow but it’ll probably make us quicker. I’m excited for all of it.”
“I’ve never been in this situation before but I’m excited. I think it’s exciting for everyone. I certainly would have liked to have the 30‑point gap instead of 24 to whoever it is, but it makes it more exciting for you guys I guess, so good for you.”
“I think I’ll just go and try to do the same thing – I’ll focus on trying to get a good Qualifying and have a good race and just take it one step at a time. I don’t mind but of course the earlier I can do it, the better.”
“At the same time, that doesn’t change how I do anything. I just need to try and win and it’s as simple as that.”
The McLaren contender is determined to extract every ounce of performance from his car, concentrating on the race itself rather than on any other competitors.
“Max won last year and I think he won the year before,” the Briton said of previous races in Qatar. “We come in with the same expectations of thinking it’s going to be close. Red Bull over the last six, seven races have been, in general, the best.”
“We expect a good battle and we expect it to be tough. I don’t think we come into it expecting anything to be easy. We work hard, we focus on ourselves and the goal is to qualify on pole and win both races.”
“We didn’t do a good enough job [in Las Vegas] so it’s quite simple. We accept the mistake but nothing changes. For now, I’m fine and relaxed. I just want to go and drive – especially after last weekend there’s even more desire to just get on track and try and make up for last weekend. I feel ready to try and continue the good run that we’ve had.”
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