Lando Norris feels relaxed despite Las Vegas disqualification as he aims to secure his first drivers’ world championship title in Qatar
LANDO NORRIS insisted he felt calm and composed ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix where he could secure his first drivers’ world championship title.
The 26-year-old Briton appeared unperturbed by his and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s double disqualification in Las Vegas last weekend.
“I feel as relaxed now as I was before when I was 35 points behind and I feel the same when I’m 24 points ahead,” Norris told reporters.
The McLaren driver needs only to out-score Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen by two points to claim the title this weekend.
Norris dismissed suggestions that Verstappen’s recent fightback had increased the pressure on him.
“We’ve treated him as a threat the whole year even when he was a few more points behind,” he said of the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen is now level with Piastri in the standings, both 24 points behind Norris after being 104 points adrift in August.
The British driver acknowledged his Las Vegas disqualification had been disappointing but said he had moved on quickly.
“We all felt let down by the result and we were all disappointed, but actually I found it was quite easy to move on,” Norris explained.
Piastri appeared equally composed but made clear he wouldn’t abandon his own championship ambitions to help his teammate.
“We’ve had a very brief discussion on it and the answer is no,” the Australian driver stated.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella attributed the Las Vegas disqualifications to unexpected “porpoising” issues exacerbated by track conditions.
Norris remained focused on the remaining races, saying “I want to try and win here in Qatar and to win in Abu Dhabi.” – AFP
