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Norris overjoyed with Dutch Grand Prix statement win

Norris overjoyed with statement win but knows: 'Wasn't perfect'

25 August at 15:42
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lando Norris was overjoyed after winning the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix. The McLaren driver was smiling ear to ear as he climbed out of the cockpit with 26 points scored in Zandvoort. But the McLaren driver still found fault with his race start.

Norris delighted with Dutch victory 

Norris said the victory "felt amazing" but knows there's room for improvement. Verstappen beat the Norris off the line and therefore took the lead before the first corner arrived. After a few problems at the start of Grands Prix in recent rounds, Norris was disappointed to add another to the list. 

"I wouldn't say it was a perfect race because of lap one but afterwards it was beautiful. The pace was very strong. The car was very strong. I could get comfortable and overtake Max. It was straight forward, tough but enjoyable," Norris said in the first interview after the race.

Despite sitting behind Verstappen at the start, Norris felt confident early on. "I think from lap five, six or seven, I expected Max to push and get a gap, but he never did. I knew we were in for a good fight. That was a nice feeling in the car, especially when I overtook," Norris added before giving a message to the Dutch fans.

"Thank you very much, I'm sure some are upset. But a lot were supporting me," Norris concluded. The Brit has a slim chance of challenging Verstappen for the title, but the better news comes for McLaren in the Constructors World Championship. Oscar Piastri comfortably beat Sergio Perez, meaning McLaren also extended their lead in those standings.