How a royal dinner set up a 'restorative' Monaco win for Lando Norris as he bids to catch Oscar Piastri atop the F1 leaderboard

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

It's crunch time for Lando Norris. Just as it was after his fine win in Australia eight races ago, when we waited to see if he had turned a psychological corner.
But then he went: second, second, third, fourth, second, second.
Not winning in those six races cost the Bristolian the world championship lead to his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Consequently, he doubted himself.
Then came his restorative win in Monaco last weekend, his calm execution in an uneventful race converting his exemplary qualifying lap.
A weight was lifted from his shoulders before his trip to the Grimaldi Palace for dinner with Albert II and the great and good of his Principality.
The roof was opened to reveal fireworks crackling in his honour.
So was that a reliable turning point, the latest moment that armed him with conviction enough to get the better of Piastri and his nemesis of last year, the drone-proofed Max Verstapppen?
Norris was coy and crossed his arms as he answered that poser in the McLaren motorhome ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, where he will start three points adrift of Piastri and 22 ahead of Verstappen.
'It's a lift…' he said of the Monaco win, a little warily.
'I wouldn't say any one race really lifts me or puts me down. It's more a combination of results which influences things.
'I'm not suddenly feeling on top of the world because I did one great quali and one good race.
'I win a race, and then on the Monday I'm at home eating Kinder bars and having Capri Sun, back to normal.'
Not all is as usual in Barcelona. A technical directive, introduced here, is curbing the extent to which front wings can flex.
The ruling may conceivably narrow McLaren's advantage over the rest of the field. Norris has downplayed that possibility.
Evidence of testing supported his assertion. He was fastest in the first session and Piastri in the second.
Both were conducted in serious heat – 45 degree track temperature – suited to the papaya cars.
Over the course of the day, Mercedes' George Russell was second quickest, Verstappen third and Norris fourth.
All the questions over mental fortitude, or possible lack of it, seem to be aimed at Norris.
His self-expressed doubts over the past nine months have invited such concerns. But what about the vulnerabilities of Piastri and Verstappen, he was asked? And what strengths does he have over them?
He did not like to enumerate any chinks he may have spotted – though he hinted has he spotted areas ripe to be exploited.
'I hate talking about other drivers,' he said. 'Max is one of the greatest ever and I am happy saying that.
'At the top level of sport, I wouldn't say someone has a weakness, just a slightly weaker area compared to someone else that is incredible.'
And does Max possess a flaw? 'Maybe,' he said.
Piastri, at 24 a year younger than Norris, is seen as calmness personified at the wheel, though the Australian could not find his rhythm in Monaco.
Norris was smooth and reliable throughout.
As for what goes on between their ears, Piastri said: 'Lando knows himself much better than I do, but speaking for me, being mentally resilient is certainly a strength of mine.
'There is a lot of work that goes into that. It doesn't happen by magic. What you see is what you get with me. But I still feel emotions, right.
'I am not immune to that. But it is about how you channel that and get in the right state.
'As a driver, you have to believe that you are the best. You have to go into every race thinking that.
'And that has to be the mindset when you fight for the world championship, too.
'Would I be disappointed if I didn't win the title? Yes. It would hurt.
'But I am still young and I hope I get this opportunity more than once.'
The McLaren boys may get another crack at the title but there are no guarantees of that, which is why every race is a test of their mettle.
How Norris, in particular, reacts is the recurrent question.