Lando Norris is set to start from pole position in the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on Sunday, expressing confidence in his chances for victory. Despite his strong stance, Norris made it clear that he does not feel compelled to win to validate his abilities.
After securing the top spot in qualifying, Norris stated, “I am expecting to win.” However, he added, “It’s not like all of a sudden I need to do it and prove a point—I don’t.”
Norris, who has secured just one win out of the first 13 races of the 2024 F1 season, has faced a series of setbacks in recent races. Errors such as a delayed pit stop and misjudged tire choices have hampered his performance. Notably, issues at Silverstone and a crash with Max Verstappen in Austria have contributed to his current 84-point deficit to Verstappen.
Norris’s recent introspection reflects his self-critical nature, and questions have arisen about his ability to challenge Verstappen, who remains a formidable competitor.
This weekend’s race offers Norris a promising opportunity, as McLaren achieves its first front-row lockout since 2012 with team-mate Oscar Piastri starting alongside him. The race strategy will be crucial, particularly with Verstappen starting third.
In qualifying, Norris’s time was narrowly ahead of Piastri, with Verstappen close behind. Rain during the final moments of the session added an element of unpredictability but ultimately secured Norris’s pole position.
Norris remains optimistic, stating, “We are in the best position whatever the weather throws at us. I am expecting to win, and if I don’t it hasn’t been a good day. The car is performing well, I am driving well, so the goal is clear.”
Mercedes struggled in qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and George Russell, who blamed himself for his performance, ending up 17th. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also faced difficulties, crashing during the session.
As the race approaches, Norris remains focused on seizing the opportunity to convert his pole position into a much-needed victory.
