Lando Norris is heading into the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with newfound confidence and momentum, fresh off his dominant victory at Zandvoort. This marks a significant shift for the Briton, who previously had to settle for a second-place finish in 2021, trailing then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo under team orders. But this time, Norris enters the weekend as a favorite, having outclassed Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his current teammate, Oscar Piastri, in the Netherlands.
Norris, reflecting on his prospects at Monza, expressed his excitement in McLaren’s pre-race media briefing: “I’m excited to be going to Monza as a two-time Grand Prix winner. Starting the second part of the 2024 season with a win was fantastic, and we aim to carry this momentum forward as we look to close the Championship gaps.”
He added, “Monza is a track where I’ve performed well in the past, and it’s the fastest on the calendar, which adds to the thrill. We’ve done our homework, reviewed our Zandvoort performance, and are focused on making even more progress. We’re ready to secure another strong result for the team.”
Oscar Piastri, who has also shown promise in his debut season with McLaren, echoed Norris’ optimism: “We returned with a strong performance last week, and we’re ready to do it again at Monza. We’ve analyzed our Zandvoort experience to carry forward the positives into this weekend. Monza is a circuit I’ve enjoyed racing at in the junior series, and I’m excited to race in front of the passionate Italian fans again.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, who has overseen the remarkable transformation of the MCL38 into the most competitive car on the grid, emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite their recent success. “After an incredibly strong result from Lando and Oscar in Zandvoort, we now immediately turn our attention to Monza, one of the most anticipated races on the calendar,” Stella said.
“The team has built and delivered a car that is proving to be extremely competitive, but we must remain focused and continue to improve. We know the challenges ahead won’t be easy, but we are highly motivated for the remaining races of the season.”
As McLaren heads into Monza, the team is not only chasing more victories but is also keen on maintaining the momentum that has seen them close the gap to their rivals. With both drivers and team management expressing confidence and caution, the stage is set for a potentially thrilling weekend at Formula 1’s fastest circuit.
