McLaren driver Lando Norris asserted that his critics are free to `write what they want` following a `perfect` Monaco Grand Prix weekend where he successfully converted pole position into victory.
This win marks Norris`s return to the top step of the podium for the first time since the season`s opening race in Australia. He held off challenges from Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, reducing the points gap to his McLaren teammate ahead of the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
The British driver was particularly proud of his performance in qualifying, especially after openly acknowledging struggles with his single-lap speed and facing scrutiny for not performing optimally under pressure.
Addressing the commentary, Norris stated, “People can write whatever they please. It`s not my concern. People are entitled to their opinions and can express them… The fact is, 99 percent of the time, their comments are unfounded. So, it`s all rubbish. I don`t mind what people write as long as I know the truth and my team knows the truth, and that`s perfectly fine.”
“I`ve dedicated significant effort over the past few months to regain the momentum and confidence I possessed, for instance, in Australia.”
Norris achieved the joint-highest number of pole positions last year and demonstrated a clear advantage over Piastri in qualifying, beating him 20-4.
The 24-year-old driver commented that `no one outside of his team truly understands the extent of the work` invested in reclaiming that performance level this season.
“What I felt this weekend was a slight improvement, but it`s not the complete solution yet. It`s not as if I`ve completely mastered it now and everything is back to normal,” he elaborated.
“There are still areas I need to work on, and things that the team can provide me with – not just making the car faster, because it`s quick enough – but giving me what I need from the car to excel and maximize results, reflecting the differences from last year to this year.”
“So, there are still improvements needed from both sides, but I`m incredibly proud of qualifying. I felt more emotional after qualifying than I did on Sunday. That highlights how much Saturday meant to me, getting my confidence back in qualifying, because it`s something that has always been a strength throughout my life, until this year. I`ve had to work diligently to recover it, partly due to a couple of specific issues I`ve struggled with and also facing tough competition.”
“Competing against Oscar, Charles, Max means I`m up against the best drivers in the world. If you`re not performing at the highest level, you won`t be able to challenge them.”
Norris `proud` he can tell kids one day he won at Monaco
The Monaco Grand Prix remains a highly coveted victory for every F1 driver due to its rich history and the unique challenge of navigating its tight corners, where the unforgiving barriers await any misstep.
Norris joins an elite group as the fifth driver on the current grid to have won the Monaco Grand Prix. The others are Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Charles Leclerc.
Reflecting on this achievement, he said, “I think the best part is knowing that my kids one day will be able to proudly tell everyone that I won in Monaco. That`s probably what makes me most proud.”
“Considering the entire weekend – securing both pole and the race win – I think it ranks very high. It wasn`t just a pole or just the race; it was achieving both together, and I believe that defines a perfect weekend. Regardless, that`s an accomplishment I`ll be very proud of for the rest of my life. But I also think it`s cool to mention my qualifying lap time – the 1:09 – which is highly unlikely to be beaten for a very long time unless the track layout changes or something similar happens.”
“The cars next year are not expected to be as fast as this year`s. Hopefully, that lap time will stand for a very, very long time.”
“So, it`s definitely the prestige more than anything, but also the meaning, the history, the legendary drivers who have won here in the past. They don`t always go on to become champions, but most of them have. And just knowing that in 30 years` time, I can say, `I mastered Monaco that one year` – or hopefully a few more – that`s something I look forward to saying.”
Gilbert Pendleton