Lando Norris discusses Max Verstappen's aggressive start at the Dutch Grand Prix, revealing he anticipated the move and was unfazed, despite a strong start of his own being hampered.
Why it matters
Norris's perspective offers insight into the high-stakes opening laps of an F1 race and the mind games between top drivers. It also highlights his confidence in McLaren's pace, even after a DNF further widened his championship gap to teammate Oscar Piastri.
The Details
- Start Dynamics: Norris believes he had a better launch than teammate Oscar Piastri at the Dutch Grand Prix start. However, a "dodgy upshift into third" cost him momentum.
- Verstappen's Move: On soft tires, Max Verstappen seized the opportunity, making a daring two-wheels-on-the-grass overtake in Turn 2.
- Norris's Prediction: "As soon as I knew Max was on the softs, I knew there was a good chance he was going to come past," Norris stated. "I knew Max would go for it in Turn 2. It was a close one."
- Unfazed by Overtake: Despite the aggressive move, Norris expressed little concern, confident in the MCL39's superior race pace. "I also knew my pace was going to be much stronger so I didn't have anything to worry about," he added.
Post-Race Outlook
Unfortunately for Norris, his race ended prematurely on Lap 65 due to a suspected oil leak, extending his championship deficit to Piastri to 34 points. He views this increased gap as a release, allowing him to "just go for it" in future races, despite acknowledging the added pressure.