Lando Norris, the British driver for McLaren, was named the standout performer of the day in the Chinese Grand Prix. Norris secured an impressive second place finish in the race, adding another podium to McLaren’s tally. Despite the emotional nature of the weekend, Norris maintained his composure and even made light-hearted jokes about his own bet. Prior to the race, Norris had wagered that his team would finish 35 seconds behind Ferrari, but to his pleasant surprise, he ended up ahead of both Ferraris, who finished in fourth and fifth place. This unexpected outcome left Norris with a big smile on his face as he returned home.
During an interview with the media, Norris shared his thoughts on the bet, stating, “I made a bet about how far behind the Ferrari we would finish today, I thought 35 seconds and I was very wrong!” This humorous comment highlighted the unpredictability of the race and the satisfaction Norris felt in surpassing his own expectations.
In addition to his impressive race performance, Norris was also awarded the title of Driver of the Day. Throughout the weekend, he experienced both highs and lows, from claiming the pole position in the sprint qualifying to facing challenges in the Sprint race and ultimately securing second place in the main Grand Prix. These ups and downs contributed to the excitement and intensity of the weekend for Norris. As a result of his strong performance, Norris has moved up in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship standings.
Looking ahead, Norris expressed optimism about his chances of securing a victory in the near future. Despite not yet achieving a first-place finish, he has consistently performed well when finishing in second or third place. Reflecting on his performance in Shanghai, Norris stated, “Max is doing a good job and Red Bull a great job, we can’t fault them. I think we can get a win this year, I definitely feel that it is coming. I look forward to Miami, it hasn’t been my best track.” Norris’s positive outlook and determination to succeed indicate his strong belief in his own abilities.
Furthermore, Norris has always maintained a healthy rivalry with Max Verstappen and has consistently praised the reigning world champion. McLaren has also made a promising start to the 2024 constructors championship, currently holding the third position. With more victories like this one, McLaren has the potential to surpass Ferrari and establish themselves as a dominant force in the championship.