Norris blasts title approach suggestion with firm 'I'll do what I like'

20:33, 11 Nov

Updated: 21:02, 11 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

After his recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix win, Lando Norris made it very clear that he won't change his title race discourse, arguing instead that he'll simply do as he likes.

"You're very right to have your own opinion on what you think I should say and what I should not say and whatever, but I’ll do what I like."

- Lando Norris.

When pressed for his assessment of the title race, the Briton has time and time again refused to acknowledge himself as the favourite to emerge from the current campaign as world champion.

Is this a conscious trait that he's exploring in order to not fall in the dangerous trap complacency may pose? Regardless, on this occasion the McLaren driver was met with a probe from a journalist during the post-race press conference asking him why failed to admit his condition as 'favourite'. Norris' first response? "Why do I need to think that?," he asked defiantly.

When told his recent performance surge, which saw a nearly 50 points deficit to teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri overturned - giving him the lead in the standings - and his also newly-found consistency, stood as reasons for him to acknowledge his protagonist role in the fight for the championship, Norris fired back.

Lando Norris after winning the race in Brazil. Photo: Race Pictures

He said: "No, I can say what I want. I can think what I want. I always try and be as honest as I can be. If I don't think we're going to be quick, I don't think we're going to be quick. And I'm not saying I'm going to be 10th. I'm just saying I think it's going to be difficult to win.

"We were a long way off—just go and look at the data from last year. Look at the race traces—we were miles off. There have been plenty of races where we’ve not been quick enough this year.

"It’s not like we've won every single race and you're expecting me to say those things," he argued.

"I’m just giving my opinion on whether I think it’s going to be easy. I won last weekend by 30 seconds—like, very, very easy. I won today by pushing a lot more, only 10 seconds, and Max was probably the quickest out on track today."

Norris then emphasised on the historic facts of McLaren's recent performances and how that data shaped his judgement, rather than go with what the current trends indicate with regard to the potentially attainable results.

He continued: "Do I think that at a track that we've never been good at—we were very good here two years ago, we almost challenged Max for the win—we've never been good in Vegas. So why am I going to think, "Yeah, it's going to be fine"?

"I'm giving my honest opinion on how I think we’re going to be. We’ve never been good there, so I'm not the most confident about going into that race. Maybe I'll win—then we’ll see. But I’m not going to lie and say, "Yeah, I’m very confident, and I think it's going to be an easy weekend," because I don’t think that’s how it’s going to be.

"So no—I mean, you're very right to have your own opinion on what you think I should say and what I should not say and whatever, but I’ll do what I like," Norris concluded.

Norris booing continues in Brazil

After winning the race with a superb and mature drive, Norris encountered a less than hospitable welcome from the Brazilian crowd. When the drivers were being called out onto the podium, Max Verstappen (P3) and Andrea Kimi Antonelli (P2), were met with cheers and applause. When the Briton's name was heard over the speakers, a wave of boos broke from the fans present.

During the post-race traditional media session, Norris revealed the jeers did take its toll on him.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.