Norris “happy” for Ricciardo despite missing out on maiden F1 win at Monza

Lando Norris says he’s “happy” to see Daniel Ricciardo end McLaren’s nine-year win drought in Formula 1 after having to settle for second at Monza.

Connor McDonagh

12 Sep 2021

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren MCL35M and Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL35M. — Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren MCL35M and Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren…
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McLaren scored its first 1-2 finish since 2010 with Ricciardo winning ahead of Norris at the Italian Grand Prix.

Norris was running in a net second place until the Safety Car was deployed due to Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s collision.

He then overtook Charles Leclerc - who got ahead through the pit stops - before applying pressure to Ricciardo for the race victory.

While Norris’ missed out on his maiden victory, he says the most important thing was that McLaren maximised its weekend by scoring 45 points.

“I don’t know where to start,” Norris said. “I think it’s incredible. The main thing it means to me is our result as a team, whether I’m second third or first it’s that 1-2 for the team, securing maximum point.

“It’s such a cool feeling, to be part of this, a bit lost for words in a way. I’m happy for myself, for us to execute the race the way we did, the strategy, overtakes, defending. Happy for Daniel and the whole team as it’s a pretty awesome achievement for all of us.”

During the closing laps, Norris was told by his team: “Lando, best for us where you are”.

After signing a new long-term deal with McLaren earlier in the year, Norris admitted that he was happy to put the interests of the team above his own.

“I got a bit closer on one lap and, I just kind of, I don’t know why I had a few flashes of seeing the incident between Max and Lewis as I saw it in my mirrors, and when I thought maybe I’ll try that kind of was flashing in my head and I thought no problem maybe this isn’t the wisest decision so I would have loved to but like I said I think I’m just as happy, as much as I would have loved to have to go for the win, first and second I’m just as happy with,” Norris added.

“The feeling I get for the team is kind of priority over my own feeling in a way, I’m here for many more years I hope with McLaren, I feel like I still have an opportunity in the future to go for it but in this instance and moment I was happy just staying where I was.”