Lando Norris has taken a moment to reflect on the events of last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, conceding that he would “probably” do things “a little bit differently” regarding the late-race team orders drama.
Norris ran second to team mate Oscar Piastri for the majority of the Hungaroring encounter after losing out at the start but their positions were reversed when McLaren pitted the Briton two laps earlier than the Australian at the second round of stops.
McLaren were quick to take to the radio and ask Norris to hand back the position, while moving to ease Piastri’s fears that a win was slipping through his fingers, but these messages were questioned in a tense back-and-forth sequence.
Eventually, Norris backed off and moved aside for Piastri, who went on to claim his first-ever Grand Prix win, but the closing laps created one of the major talking points in the paddock at the chequered flag.
Asked in Belgium on Thursday for his reflections since the race and how he feels about the situation now, Norris said: “We’ve reviewed everything.
“The main point is we had a one-two [finish]. I was super happy with that; the whole team were very happy.
“Could I have done things probably a little bit differently? Yes, but that’s from my side and the team’s side to discuss what we’ve done, so [I’m] coming in this weekend to try and repeat it in terms of result.”
Pushed on how much he has spoken with Piastri and team boss Andrea Stella, and if everything is clear for this weekend and the rest of the season, Norris added: “Yes, spoke quite a bit. Everything’s clear, so good to go.”
With just over half of the season gone, Norris sits 76 points behind championship leader and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen, with the 24-year-old also assessing his chances for Spa-Francorchamps and beyond.
“We’re just in good shape, we’re in good form at the minute,” he commented. “I think still Red Bull are very quick.
“Last weekend, Max maybe didn’t have the best race, but he was four hundredths off pole and if he was on pole he probably could have been closer to converting it to a win.
“I think things can change so quickly, and quicker than people realise. But the main thing is, yes, we have good momentum and the team are doing a good job. I feel like I’m doing a good job and we’ll continue that for as long as possible.”
Meanwhile, Piastri was full of smiles as he looked back on his milestone achievement and shared his insight into the post-race debriefing that followed the Hungary event – including a game of Monopoly with Norris on the journey home.
“It’s certainly sunk in more than it had immediately post-race,” Piastri said of his win. “But I don’t think it changes the world for me. It’s nice to have that achievement, but my way of working and trying to improve myself is going to be exactly the same.
“[I’m] just trying to repeat that every weekend and keep growing. I know that I’ve won a race, but it doesn’t mean it was a perfect race so until I have perfect races then I’m never going to be fully satisfied.”
As for talks with Norris and Stella, and the atmosphere inside the team, Piastri added: “The feeling is very strong. I’ve spoken with Lando and Andrea, played Monopoly with Lando on the way back, so we’re all good!
“It’s a difficult situation to be in from a lot of sides. I think the team really wanted to make sure we locked down a one-two and I think at the time it was a very sensible call.
“Of course, it swapped the order round and I completely get why Lando wanted to ask so many questions about swapping back. He’s leading a race and we all want to win, so I get it from both sides.
“But [it’s] just a new situation that we were maybe a bit inexperienced in handling and I think we’ve definitely spoken about it and we’re all good.”
