Norris will race despite illness: 'I'll have to'

Lando Norris is confident he can just about finish the Brazilian Grand Prix. The McLaren driver fell ill with food poisoning earlier this week but has so far been able to do everything according to the usual schedule.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Norris had contracted food poisoning. Nyck de Vries was already called up to be ready as a replacement but in the end Norris proved fit enough to finish the practice sessions. Norris also took his place in his own car in the sprint race, although he had to admit afterwards that it was harder on him than expected.

Norris was so ill that he was exempt from the media obligations that drivers normally have. Before heading off, however, he did appear in front of Viaplay's camera, where he was asked if he was completely healthy again. "No, not at all," was the Briton's reply. "I was really struggling on the track. I'm not looking forward to the race at all. I feel weak, haven't eaten anything for two days, haven't drunk anything for almost a day. It's a real struggle."

Norris assures it is safe to go on track though

The logical follow-up question was whether he would then be feeling well enough to finish the race but Norris did not doubt that. "Of course. I have to. It’s safe, I just don’t feel good while doing so. It’s not that I’m shutting my eyes or anything. Maybe I’ll make a few more mistakes than normal and miss a few more apexes than normal, little things like that. But I’ll be okay."

Norris will start from sixth spot after a grid penalty from Carlos Sainz. For the McLaren team, it is a good chance to run ahead of rival Alpine, as both French cars start at the back of the grid.