Lando Norris is already looking ahead to the rest of the Grand Prix weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Brit could become a Formula 1 world champion for the first time in his career on Sunday, something he has dreamed of since childhood. However, Norris says he’s ‘not too worried’ ahead of the decisive race at the Yas Marina Circuit: ‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll try again next year’.
Lando Norris has started the final Grand Prix weekend of the year well. The Brit led the timesheet during the first free practice in Abu Dhabi, closely followed by title rival Max Verstappen. The gap between the drivers in the championship is only twelve World Championship points, meaning both men – along with Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri – are still contenders for the world title. According to Norris, however, he has the ‘most to lose’ of all three title candidates in Abu Dhabi.
“In terms of my position, of course, I have the most to lose because I’m at the top,” the McLaren driver tells the press conference in Abu Dhabi. “And I’ll do my best to stay there until the end of the season, just a few more days. But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just try again next year. It’ll probably hurt for a while, but that’s life. I’ll move on and try to do better next season.” Norris then says he has nothing to lose because it’s “just” a race for the championship and he’s “not too worried”.
Dream
Norris’ nonchalance is gone later in the press conference when he is asked what it would mean to him to receive the World Cup on Sunday. “It’s everything I’ve worked towards my whole life. So it would mean everything to me,” says the McLaren driver. “Also for everyone who has supported me over the past, what is it now, sixteen years of my life to reach this point. It would mean that my life so far has been a success and that I have realized the dream I had as a child.”
