Lando Norris had a frustrating weekend in Monza as Charles Leclerc romped to victory.
Lando Norris came six seconds short of victory in Monza despite driving the fastest car (Image: Getty)
Lando Norris’ old comments have been dug up by angry Lewis Hamilton fans after the McLaren star’s frustrating Italian Grand Prix. Norris crossed the line third and missed out on maximum points, which would have been a major boost on an afternoon when title rival Max Verstappen limped home in sixth.
With more podiums than any other outfit in 2024, McLaren are the form team in F1. Oscar Piastri’s P2 and Norris’ P3 at Monza leaves the team only eight points behind the floundering Red Bulls in the Constructors’ Championship.
It’s clear that Norris and his team-mate are driving the fastest car in the field, but a strategy mishap allowed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to nurse his tyres to victory on Sunday at McLaren’s expense.
And Hamilton fans have been quick to pounce on Norris’ disappointing third-place finish, the year after he suggested that the seven-time world champion has benefitted hugely from spending his career in dominant F1 cars.
“Lewis came into McLaren (in 2007) when they were winning championships and winning races from the beginning,” said Norris in 2023, when McLaren were still a long way from the front of the field. “That makes you look good. If he came to McLaren now he wouldn’t win a race, and he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the driver he is today or achieved what he has today.”
