Now he has lost his derisive nickname, as he finally took victory in his 110th race on Sunday. And despite the fact that he was only sixth at the end of the first lap, then with a good strategy and a bit of luck, when a retarder came onto the track at a crucial moment, he went on to triumph.
“A lot of people doubted me, said I couldn’t win, but I wasn’t afraid. And this year I was more confident than ever, I just had to be patient. I’m glad I proved those people wrong. That made me smile even more,” he told the press conference after the race.
Before her, he had already experienced stormy celebrations with the team under the podium, with riding legends such as Hamilton and Alonso walking behind him and sincerely congratulating him. Max Verstappen also paid tribute to him, or behind the scenes of the Grand Prix, former US President Donald Trump. “Donald said he’s my good luck charm when it’s my premiership win. So maybe he will go to other races,” laughed the 24-year-old Norris.
It was McLaren’s 184th victory in history (only Ferrari has more), but only the second in the last ten years. The last time Daniel Ricciardo triumphed in the colors of the traditional British stable was three years ago in Monza.
Yes, Norris was undoubtedly helped by the safety car exit, thanks to which he did not lose position despite the pit stop. However, in the words of the football classics, he went “against that luck”, because thanks to good work with the tires, he lasted the longest on the track from the top, and after the restart he set fast laps and passed the second Verstappen.
And the Dutchman, otherwise still the sovereign leader of the championship, when he was asked if he would have won if the safety car had not come out, answered in his own way. “If, if… If my mom had the balls, she’d be my dad. That’s just how it goes in racing.”
Norris’ team then quickly changed the plane, because it was originally supposed to fly from America already on Sunday evening, in the end everything was moved to Monday so that the pilot could properly celebrate. Norris himself called his parents right after the race and later recalled: “I remember the first time I went to the races with my dad and brother when I was five or six years old. I watched fast cars with my mouth open, immediately fell in love with racing and now I stand here as a winner. And I dedicate the triumph to my grandmother. She hasn’t been doing well lately, but I saw her last week and I told her I was going to win the race. I just had no idea that I would fulfill my promise so quickly.’
The people from McLaren believe that the improvements they have made to the single-seater in recent weeks will be more visible on other circuits. Will Norris start to win regularly and does Verstappen still have to worry?
Tags: good luck charm Norris heard Trump Hateful comments drove rider win
