Lando Norris says arriving at Silverstone as Method 1 world champion has not modified the magic of racing in entrance of his residence crowd – however it has modified the strain.
Twelve months after securing victory on the British Grand Prix, Norris returns to Silverstone in a really totally different place because the F1 world champion.
Commercial
Quite than chasing a breakthrough residence win, the McLaren driver can benefit from the event understanding he has already achieved one of many largest milestones of his profession.
“Fairly rattling cool,” Norris stated when requested what it feels wish to race at residence because the reigning world champion as he lower a relaxed determine within the F1 media convention at Silverstone.
“I imply, yearly right here is cool, actually, so the championship is not the factor that makes it a lot better or a lot worse. It is simply at all times a pleasure, at all times a pleasure to drive in entrance of your private home followers, buddies, household, the whole thing, and staff as properly, so I’ve at all times liked it.
“I’ve at all times loved it since 2019, my first time right here, however in fact now and after final yr, profitable each the race and, in fact, the championship, then I can nearly simply come right here slightly bit extra relaxed, to not really feel like there’s strain to should win my first residence Grand Prix, however there’s extra need from inside to try to win it the second time.”
Commercial
That sense of freedom is mirrored away from the circuit as properly, the place Norris’ presence round Silverstone continues to develop.
His fan zone, the now-famous ‘Landostand’, has expanded considerably since its debut and has turn out to be one of many largest points of interest for supporters over the British Grand Prix weekend.
“Yeah, the Landostand, it seems to be wonderful,” Norris stated.
“I am unable to wait, actually, to see it within the automotive tomorrow. It’ll hopefully distract everybody, it is that vibrant. And I’ve acquired an extra-tinted visor only for getting by means of Stowe!
“It is lots larger, lots higher than it was final season. The grandstand is large. I went there this morning to already see everybody that was there, with the shop, and simply much more hospitality for folks, some music, some DJs, issues like that.
Commercial
“So, I simply need everybody that is there, everybody who’s right here to assist me, to have a superb time and luxuriate in it even after we’re not really on monitor driving.”
Norris remaining level-headed
Regardless of changing into certainly one of Method 1’s largest stars, Norris insists he nonetheless views himself the identical means he did earlier than the success arrived.
“It is particular, as a result of I nonetheless see myself as only a child that wishes to go racing and luxuriate in driving, however on the identical time have the entire unbelievable further, which is a fan base and supporters and all of this.
“And once I see all of this come collectively, and feeling like that standard child, then it is simply fairly unbelievable, actually, to see the dimensions of it and see how many individuals are right here to assist me. It is one thing I’ve dreamt of.”
Commercial
On monitor, nonetheless, Norris is retaining his expectations measured.
McLaren confirmed encouraging tempo in Spain earlier than slipping behind Crimson Bull in Austria, leaving the Briton unsure about the place the staff will stack up at Silverstone.
“Actually, I do not know. I would just quite wait and see how we will do,” he admitted.
“I do not assume, really, that Crimson Bull Ring was that a lot worse than Spain. I feel you simply had just a few different automobiles within the combine. We had been faster than the Ferraris on Sunday, slower than the Crimson Bulls.
“So issues change round us on the minute, however we’re simply merely not the place we wish to be.”
Commercial
Whereas Norris believes McLaren shouldn’t be arriving with fairly the identical confidence because it did 12 months in the past, he stays targeted on preventing close to the entrance.
He added: “So I feel we’re most likely not coming in fairly as optimistic as we had been this time final yr, however we’re nonetheless optimistic that we wish to goal for a podium and we nonetheless wish to get two automobiles excessive up there and within the factors. And naturally, personally, that is one thing I want to obtain this weekend too.”
Picture: Race Photos
Picture: Race Photos
Off monitor, Norris has loved a profitable development of his personal model
Away from racing, Norris has additionally turn out to be certainly one of Method 1’s strongest private manufacturers, with lengthy queues forming exterior his pop-up retailer at Silverstone.
Commercial
Whereas he joked that he personally runs each side of the enterprise, the 25-year-old defined that constructing the LN4 identification has been a collaborative mission over a number of years.
“Certain. Yeah, I run the entire thing! I do all of it: manufacturing, design, social and driving,” Norris laughed.
“No, I’ve an excellent staff round me to assist me do all of these items.
“It was solely, what, three or 4 years in the past, I did not actually have a model, as an instance. Did not have design, color, character, that was nearly shareable by means of clothes, media. Arduous to inform any story by means of something, whereas now we do.
“And that is one thing I’ve at all times been very excited for and at all times seemed ahead to assembling and slowly seeing it coming collectively and increasing over time.
Commercial
“From the Landstand final yr, I feel it is nearly over doubled what it was final yr.
“So, I’ve an excellent staff round me that assist me in all of these items and likewise are in a position to perceive this world very properly. I am good on the driving half and actually that is about it. I depart the remainder of it to them.
“However I am at all times concerned when it comes to designs and schemes and storytelling and understanding what actually the followers need on the finish of the day.
“I take pleasure in being a part of it. I would not say I am the chief of any of those conditions, however I take pleasure in simply being concerned as a result of it is my factor. It is nonetheless me on the finish of the day. So, you’ve got to have the ability to give my character, my colors by means of a variety that individuals can take pleasure in and my followers and my supporters can take pleasure in. And that is one thing at all times to stay up for, for positive.”
With 1000’s of followers anticipated to fill the expanded Landostand over the weekend, Norris already is aware of one factor for sure. No matter occurs on monitor, Silverstone nonetheless looks like residence.
