F1 News
Norris: "With Verstappen beside me, I knew I had a good chance"
Lando Norris created a sensation with his first podium in Formula 1 at the Austrian Grand Prix. In the process, the McLaren became the third-youngest driver to record a podium in F1. The Brit was allowed to start far from the front and that wasn't entirely easy for him.
"It's cool to participate at the front, especially at the start. I have to honestly say I was a bit nervous because my practice starts all went very badly. Every time I had anti-stall, but with Max next to me on the medium compounds, I knew I had a good chance. Besides that we were one of the best starters in 2019 as McLaren," says Norris in the video call after the Grand Prix.
Norris beats Verstappen
Norris did not pass Max Verstappen and soon had Alexander Albon and Lewis Hamilton overtaking him. No big surprise, but in the end the Brit would finish in front of all three drivers. At the end of the race, it was Norris who was able to take advantage of all the breakaway events and the penalty for Lewis.
"I had confidence in myself, but also lacked some confidence in my start. I had a good start compared to Max and ended up fighting well with these guys. We really weren't as fast as Ferrari or Racing Point today, so it's great that we beat three out of four," concludes Norris who only saw Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas finish in front of him.