F1 News
Norris on battling Hamilton and Verstappen: 'Looked up to them'
Lando Norris has reflected on what it is like to battle against Max Verstappen. The two drivers are set to go head to head for the Formula 1 World Championship, though the British driver still needs to bridge a 52-point gap.
Saturday's post-qualifying FIA press conference became arguably one of the most talked-about meetings with the media in Formula 1 history after Max Verstappen launched a protest against his swearing penalty. But perhaps for Lando Norris, it was another occasion where he realised what he is achieving during the 2024 Formula 1 season is rather special.
Norris - who had just secured pole position for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix - sat alongside two of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton, and Verstappen. He had managed to just beat them both and set himself up for a Grand Prix that he ended up dominating. He ended up cutting his deficit to Verstappen to 52 points in the World Championship, but he knows he is fighting against an experienced three-time World Champion who has done it all before.
Can Norris beat the experience?
"It's pretty cool that I'm here. There's 150 wins or something between them [actually 166 wins]. I've got nothing on them and nothing comparing to them. I find it cool that I'm here, and I'm among them and trying to fight against them. I think that's pretty awesome in my regards. I respect them a lot. I've looked up to both of them for a long time, both literally and mentally," Norris said before explaining it doesn't change his approach.
"It doesn't change what I do and how I go out and drive. I probably know to expect a bit more from them because I've seen them drive, and I think they both drive with respect and they both want to drive as clean racing drivers, so I think that's something I always look forward to. We had a great battle, however it ended in Austria, I think we've had a great battle there and good battles at all the tracks too. It doesn't change anything," Norris added.
Though Norris is cautious. "I just know that they'll try and play more tricks or they're smarter than the other drivers and know how to play the longer game or the shorter game more than probably other drivers too. Probably just respect it more and enjoy being here with two greats of the sport," he concluded.