Norris Unbothered By Drivers' Championship Stats: 'If You're Not First You're Last'
F1Tuesday, 28 November 2023 at 02:00
McLaren driver Lando Norris shared his point of view on the Drivers' Championship Standings after the 2023 season's last race - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lando Norris could have started the race from the front row but made a small mistake in the final sector during his last flying lap, which cost him about three positions in the end.
Starting from the fifth place on the grid, the 24-year-old was at a disadvantage from the get-go. After a tough race, including a collision with Sergio Perez, the McLaren F1 driver brought home the P5.
While this result was enough to secure the fourth place in the Constructors' Championship for his team, it wasn't enough to secure the fourth place in the Drivers' Championship for himself. Norris told the media after the last race of the 2023 season:
"Would I have loved to be fourth? Yes. But Charles jumped me. So, there was nothing I could do about that. He had a very good weekend."
In the end, Norris finished sixth in the Drivers' Championship, just one point behind Charles Leclerc in fifth and Fernando Alonso, who took fourth place. On the other hand, Norris said:
"If you're not first you're last, so it doesn't bother me too much. It's just a good-to-know thing, but it doesn't change anything, it doesn't change my mentality in any way."
dHaving said that, the 24-year-old driver added the Championship position was the most important thing that he and Oscar Piastri easily secured, both finishing ahead of Aston Martin drivers. The McLaren driver added:
"So respect to those guys ahead me and everyone, but my main thing has to do with the championship for the team, which is the priority in the end, and otherwise, it's first or nothing for me."
Norris scored a total of seven podiums this season after his team managed to upgrade his McLaren to a competitive level, but he is still waiting for his career's first win. Do you think he can get it in 2024?
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