Lando Norris on Dutch GP DNF: How He Plans to Challenge Oscar Piastri

Lando Norris appeared remarkably calm facing the media in the Monza paddock, a stark contrast to the severe blow he took from his Dutch GP DNF at Zandvoort. With the gap to Oscar Piastri now at 34 points, Norris faces an uphill battle.

Why it matters

The DNF was caused by an engine oil line issue on his McLaren, a team-side problem, not a driver error or Mercedes' fault. This fact has allowed Norris to adopt a philosophical approach, making it easier for him to move past the setback. However, Piastri has consistently held a slight edge over Norris in recent race weekends, intensifying their internal rivalry.

The details

• Norris's Perspective: He admitted the DNF was frustrating but emphasized that since it wasn't his mistake, it was easy to move on. "What can I do?" he remarked, expressing excitement for the upcoming weekend. Norris plans to improve his performance by being "on top more in qualifying" and "sharper with various things here and there in racing, decisions, strategy." He feels he's already doing everything possible, focusing on perfecting small margins.
• Piastri's Take: The Australian driver showed little enthusiasm for the points gap, stating it changes "very little." Drawing from personal experience, he noted, "I've had a much bigger gap than this and had it pretty much erased before the final round." Piastri considers the gap "not a comfortable one" and believes it's "still far too early to be calculating." He doesn't anticipate Norris racing him more aggressively, expecting their approach and risk-taking to remain the same.

The big picture

While McLaren's team dominance is a positive for the constructor, it ironically makes Norris's internal fight against Piastri more challenging. Piastri's consistent strong finishes mean he is unlikely to drop several positions behind Norris, making it harder for Norris to close the points gap through on-track performance alone.

What's next

Despite the challenges, Norris remains confident in his ability to overcome Piastri without relying on his teammate's misfortune. "I can still win the championship without anything happening, and that's the way I wish to do it," he affirmed, showing no ill will towards his rival.