Lando Norris admits to being 'depressed' after Brazil

Lando Norris will probably not be world champion this year, at least not among drivers, but we cannot reproach him for a certain transparency about his state of mind and the feelings that have accompanied him throughout this season. The Englishman has indeed gotten into the habit of being very sincere and not hiding his emotions, especially since he was one of the first to speak about the importance of mental health in high-level sport.

The Brazilian Grand Prix, held two weeks ago, will probably be a major scar in the coming months. He practically said goodbye to the drivers' world championship title on a day when everyone expected, including him, to take back big points from a Max Verstappen who started 17th on the grid. However, in the rain, the Dutchman delivered a masterclass, also helped by a safety car that came out at the right time, when Lando Norris was trapped by it, in addition to a few damaging errors.

Norris realistic about title chances

"I admitted, even in Miami, that I was lucky to win with the safety car," said Lando Norris. "In Brazil it was even a bit luckier (for Verstappen), but that's the Formula 1, it's racing. I'm not complaining about it. Luck can be on your side or on the side of others, that's life, so I don't worry about it. One day it smiles on you, and not the next day."

In any case, he took note of the consequences of this race, which saw the Dutchman take 17 points back from him. "It was a decisive moment for the championship" slipped the pilot McLaren at a press conference. "The doors are almost closed now. For a week I was very depressed after Brazil, because I realised that (the title) was now out of my control and not really within my reach. It's a difficult realisation when you have so much hope and so much belief that you suddenly see collapse... it's demoralising and it's not the best feeling. You have to learn to accept it, that's life."

Lando Norris at a press conference. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

The teammate ofOscar piastri is now 62 points behind the Dutchman, with only 86 left to distribute. Worse, Max Verstappen could even take his fourth world crown this weekend in Las Vegas, if he finishes ahead of Lando Norris. "I know what situation I'm in now, and I probably have less to lose., the Bristol native now puts things into perspective. After Brazil, it was difficult for me because it was the first time I thought it would be difficult to get back to first place realistically. We were on such a roll, little by little, and it's hard to take big points from Max because he doesn't have bad races. […] But it doesn't change my approach, which has been the right one over the last few weekends. I performed well, I did a good job. So I don't need to change anything, but I can now enjoy it more, I think.

Norris now believes he is ready to fight for the title

Shocked by the sometimes harsh comments he has been the victim of in recent weeks, both from fans and in the paddock, Zak Brown's protégé took stock of his own performance throughout the season. "I know I have what it takes"he says. “It’s the first time in six years that we’ve had the chance to fight up front. It was my first opportunity to do that, to see where I really stand. At the beginning of the year, I certainly wasn’t where I needed to be, even in Miami. Since the summer break, however, I feel like I’ve done a really good job and put in some really good performances, by far some of the best I’ve had.”

Again very open and transparent about what is in his heart, Norris paid tribute to Max Verstappen, who he believes has almost no weaknesses. “I’m happy with how the last few months have gone. I wouldn’t change much about what happened. But I still have to make adjustments. I still have to improve on some things, that’s for sure. I’m not totally happy with what I’ve done. I know I have to improve, but for the first time I’m confident and I can say that I have what I think I need to fight for the title. That doesn’t mean I’m complete or it’s perfect, that’s for sure. And when you’re up against riders who are so close to it, like Max, you have to be close to perfection.”

"I probably wasn't ready to face it yet Red Bull and Max. I think I am now, and it's probably too late. […] Max is probably one of the best drivers in history, I don't think you'll find a better driver than him in the future in Formula 1. That's my opinion, that's what I believe and for me to go against that belief and fight someone I know is so good, it's a bit more than what I've done this season. But what I've done since the summer is closer to it, and I think it will soon be enough to fight next year." Provided that the McLaren is also there...

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