Lando Norris shocked by Max Verstappen after Dutch Grand Prix win

Lando Norris admitted he was shocked by Max Verstappen’s performance after he won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 24-year-old started the race from pole position and, despite initially relinquishing the lead on the first lap, he went on to win his second race of the season.

Norris, speaking in writing after the race, said he was shocked Verstappen was not quicker as he closed the gap on the 26-year-old at the top of the Formula One standings.

“Saturday is always a good indication of what you are capable of doing and we were very quick yesterday so we had high hopes,” said the Briton.

Lando Norris spoke after winning the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday

REUTERS

“The car was very pleasant to drive.

“I thought Max would be quicker than he was. He seemed to be the exception as he fell back behind the Ferraris, which was a surprise.”

Norris was also asked about his chances of winning the championship at the end of the season.

He insisted he had been targeting the F1 title since the first race, while acknowledging there were still areas where McLaren needed to improve.

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“I’ve been there all year,” he said when asked if he was battling Verstappen for glory.

“It’s not like I decided to do it now. Honestly, I’ve had the car for a while, obviously.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been the best since Miami, but on average we have been, but clearly we missed opportunities to beat him and we didn’t.

“That’s in the past, we’ve reviewed these things, we’ve tried to take a step forward in many areas and a result like today’s proves exactly that.

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“There is still work to be done, but it is a good start for the second half of the year.”

Verstappen, meanwhile, complained about Red Bull’s car after finishing second – insisting he struggled to get it to work as he would like.

“I’m not surprised by what I felt in the car,” he said.

“I couldn’t do anything. Everything I tried to do… I said it during the race, no matter what I did with the car, the controls don’t really work.

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Lando Norris thought Max Verstappen would be faster after winning the Dutch Grand Prix

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“When I turn left, I don’t feel like it happens right away. Or it doesn’t turn the way I want it to.

“It is very complicated to understand why this is so and how to fix it.

“The positive was the start, but quite early in that stint Land was waiting for the opportunity. I messed up a bit and couldn’t get the tyres to work.

“He came and from that moment on I focused on getting to the end in the best possible position.”

Max Verstappen was frustrated after finishing second to Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix

SKY

Red Bull boss Christian Horner added: “McLaren were in a different category today. We did everything we could. Max turned second into a lead, but their pace was in a different category.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but we learned some valuable lessons this weekend. It’s time to digest and bounce back in Monza.

“We still have a comfortable lead in the drivers’ championship, but a lot of the points have been taken in the constructors’ championship, so we have to react.

“I am convinced that we have the strength to do it.”