Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a commanding victory by a 22-second margin over Max Verstappen. Despite this impressive win, Norris was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he is now the favorite for the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. The Briton, who has become the center of attention following his dominant performance, remains focused on taking the season one race at a time rather than getting caught up in title talk.
Norris acknowledged that the championship fight has been a season-long battle, not something that has suddenly become a priority after his win at Zandvoort. “I’ve been fighting for the championship since the first race of the season,” Norris stated, emphasizing that his approach hasn’t changed despite the recent success. He remains 70 points behind Verstappen, a gap that underscores the significant work still ahead if he wants to challenge for the title.
Norris stressed the importance of staying focused on each race individually, rather than getting distracted by thoughts of the championship. “It’s not very helpful to think about the title right now,” he explained. “I need to focus on each race one by one and continue with my current approach.” By concentrating on his performance in every race, Norris believes he can maintain his momentum without the added pressure of constantly thinking about the title.
The McLaren driver also expressed his desire for the media to stop asking him about the championship every weekend, as he feels it’s premature to consider himself a title contender given the current points deficit. “There’s no need for people to ask me about the title race every weekend,” Norris said. “It’s more important to stay focused on each race rather than getting distracted by questions about the overall championship.”
For Norris, the priority remains clear: win as many races as possible and prevent Verstappen from extending his lead. While the Dutch GP victory was a significant achievement, Norris understands that he must stay grounded and continue to approach each race with the same determination and focus that brought him success at Zandvoort.
As the season progresses, Norris is determined to keep his eyes on the immediate challenges ahead, rather than getting caught up in the bigger picture of the championship fight. With ten races remaining, his approach will be crucial if he hopes to close the gap to Verstappen and keep his title hopes alive.
Photo from Lando Norris Instagram
