Lando Norris: “I'm not yet the driver I'd like to be”

An excellent Austrian double, with your first career podium, but a more complicated Hungarian weekend. What assessment do you draw after these first three rounds?

Overall, it remains very positive. I did much better in areas identified as areas for improvement after last season. That said, I'm not yet the pilot I'd like to be. I made a mistake at the start in Budapest.

I certainly didn't lose a lot of points, because I probably would have finished not far from Carlos (10th at the finish, Sainz was promoted to 9th rank after the penalty imposed on Kevin Magnussen. Editor’s note). But it is important to score regularly; one or two units can make the difference at the end of the championship.

The first two races were perfect, but the Hungarian Grand Prix was more complicated, mainly due to my failed takeoff. We will analyze all this and we will try to do better at Silverstone.

A photo of you helping your mechanics dismantle your car in Budapest after the race caused a lot of reaction. Is this a true reflection of the team spirit that drives the team?

I've done this several times in the past, but none of the photos had been shared on social media, because I don't feel the need. It's something I used to do since my years karting, when we were cleaning the vehicle with my engineer. Taking apart racing cars, I always loved that.

The Sunday after the Grand Prix, the timing is generally very tight with the debriefings, then the race to get to the airport. But when the return flight falls on Monday, I have the opportunity to help the mechanics. It's a very cool experience.

Who wouldn't like to delve into the bowels of a F1 ? There are always things to learn and it's good for the team, for the mechanics and for myself. After three weeks of competition, I told myself that I could make their job a little easier. Otherwise, I probably would have gone back to the hotel and finished up on Netflix in my bed. I prefer to dismantle an F1.

It is often said that the season of confirmation is more complicated than that of revelation. How did you go about avoiding such a pitfall?

I set about reviewing the entire last season, identifying the circuits where I performed well to identify the reasons. My database was also larger than last year, when I could only rely on the tests carried out in 2018. I then set out to present myself for the winter tests with the idea of ​​implementing all these lessons. You can never guarantee anything, but I was convinced that I had worked on my weaknesses.

I also analyzed the areas where Carlos was particularly successful and sought to understand why. I spent a lot of time in the simulator to refine these different points. I sometimes stayed there for a whole day. Without wanting to tell me, I have always been good in qualifying. From the karting, I manage to gather the ingredients to complete a quick lap. But it's in the race that we collect the points.

However, there is a greater chance that the situation will go wrong, whether because of a locked wheel, a missed pit stop, or poor tire management. This is where experience comes into play the most.

What have you learned from Carlos Sainz so far?

It's hard to pinpoint just one thing. He already has a lot of experience in sport and has experienced several teams and therefore different working environments. So, it's interesting to study his approach, the way he builds his weekend, his relationship with the engineers. It's not just a question of strengths and weaknesses. I feel like he has a bigger toolbox. When he finds himself confronted with this or that situation, he already has the reference. This sort of thing comes with experience.

During the F1 break, you were particularly active online, not hesitating to speak out against racism or sexism. Is it your status as a motorsport star that gives you the confidence to take a stand on these divisive issues?

I'm not overconfident when I do it, because I know there's going to be a backlash. I expected to receive negative comments after certain posts. I lost quite a few subscribers on my different platforms. Whatever I do, there will always be pros and cons. I get a lot of messages from fans and I try to read as many as possible. I just want to make sure everyone is happy.

I am a cheerful natured guy. I try to bring positive energy into the team to improve the atmosphere. I'm the same way off the track. I want to make my fans and people in general smile. I'm not going to make you believe that I've never been rude to anyone. But I was lucky to receive a great education that instilled good values ​​in me. I am not afraid to express them, especially when it concerns equal rights. I'm not ultra-confident though, because some media will always prefer to focus on the negative aspect.

As Lewis Hamilton, do you feel that it is your duty to use your visibility to get messages across?

“Duty” is probably a bit of a strong term, but I don't want to remain confined to the role of F1 driver, it's true. Today, Lewis is not only known as a motorsport champion, he is also recognized for his commitments outside of it. I also want to support causes that are dear to me because I am aware of having a great community at my side. I can move lines or inspire people through my words or my actions. It's an opportunity to improve as a human being and try to set an example, to the fans, but not only.

In the same vein, you have often talked about the doubts that plagued you before your arrival in F1. How complicated is it for a top athlete to admit his faults?

It's not easy because millions of eyes are on you in F1, although I tend to be quite open on a lot of subjects. I want people to see that we are human beings like everyone else. Ok, we are talented in our chosen field as well as other activities possibly. But that doesn't make us superior.

I have my own worries, I'm not the most virtuous person in the world, I'm not invincible, and I can lack self-confidence at times. This transparency can inspire or comfort others who are going through difficult times and realize that they are not the only ones who feel this way. I hope they will say to themselves: “ If he succeeds despite his doubts, I too can succeed”.