Lando Norris, eight races that weigh heavily in the balance

China (Sprint)

From the pole, Norris is doubled by Hamilton before the first corner, and lost six positions trying to regain the lead at turn 2. Sixth at the checkered flag, one could have imagined the Briton finishing in the worst case scenario second given the pace displayed by Max Verstappen (winner). A costly mistake.

Spain

For his first pole in three years, Lando found himself 3rd at the first corner. No mistake to speak of to report, but the Englishman braked too early, being surprised by Verstappen on the inside and Russell on the outside. He limited the damage by finishing 2nd, but victory was within his reach if he had managed to stay in front. And took the point for the fastest lap.

Austria (Sprint)

Author of a monumental braking at turn 3 to steal the lead of the Sprint from Verstappen, the driver McLaren got trapped on the next turn, leaving the inside wide open. The Dutchman didn't need to be asked twice to dive. Max's maneuver also allowed Piastres to pass Norris, who only finished 3rd.

Hungary

Still on pole, he missed his start and was overtaken by Piastri. Finding himself behind his teammate and overtaking him during the pit stops, he had to give the Australian his place and finished 2nd. A victory lost at the start…

As is too often the case, Lando Norris was overwhelmed at the start in Hungary while he was starting from pole position – Photo: Eric Alonso /DPPI

Belgium

After a far from perfect qualifying, which saw him placed 4th on the grid, a poorly negotiated first corner forced him to put his wheels in the gravel at the exit of La Source and lose two positions. If he could not have gone and got the Mercedes, even on a better day, 3rd place was within his reach.

Italy

At Monza, Norris did not learn the lessons of Barcelona and Budapest. Although he defended his pole at the first corner, he was overtaken at turn 4 by Oscar Piastri, who made a magnificent overtaking move. Lecler took advantage of this fratricidal fight to win. Too bad, Verstappen was the victim of an engine problem and only finished 6th…

USA

Facing Max Verstappen, Lando Norris does not close the inside and lets the Dutchman do what he likes best: dive to the rope and take him outside the track limits. Third after this maneuver, behind the two Ferrari (Leclerc's victory), Norris will be penalized for overtaking outside the track limits on Verstappen and will fall back to 4th. By staying in the lead at the first corner, who knows if victory was not promised to him?

Brazil

If he started at the front, he was overtaken before the first braking by Russell. Later, he was not responsible for being trapped by the red flag. This made the podium almost out of reach. However, he was responsible for losing a position on Russell by missing a braking at turn 1, and two others on Leclerc and Piastri at the last restart where he was going straight! He finished 4th after his teammate let him pass.

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