More confidence for Norris after fight with Hamilton: 'That gives extra pressure'

Lando Norris is one of the drivers on the F1 grid who is open about the pressures and expectations that come with driving at the top of motorsport. The Brit usually doubts himself a lot but explains in conversation with Motorsport.com that a recent race changed all that.

In Austria, the McLaren driver was ahead of the two Mercedes drivers for a long time and managed to keep Lewis Hamilton behind for a long time. He explains that this has given him more confidence in himself. "The fight with Mercedes and Lewis does put some extra pressure on your shoulders," he said.

More confidence through successful defending

"I have been racing against competitors for a very long time and always when you have someone behind you, no matter who and whether they are faster than you, you always feel pressure. You always feel you have to be flawless". In Austria, there was even added pressure. "There I was fighting for third and second place, so that also adds more pressure".

In the end, Norris had to let the Mercedes driver pass him, so as not to ruin his own race. Due to damage to Hamilton, he was eventually flagged off in third anyway. "It does give confirmation and confidence for the future that if I'm in that position again or fighting Lewis or Max, that I'm confident I can do well," Norris concluded.