Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – an F1 world title would put him among the elite

With barely room to squeeze past a dozen rows of reporters and photographers, the three Formula One title protagonists entered the first arena of the weekend. The FIA ​​is sometimes prone to common sense mistakes, but to the delight of everyone present, F1’s governing body lumped the top three into one category on Thursday. This caused a background buzz rare for modern sports press conferences.

Lando Norris, who was 12 points ahead, did his best to defuse the seriousness of the incident. “It’s the same as every weekend, nothing changes,” he began. Similar sentiments were expressed by Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri on either side of the Briton. This is the easiest media training they’ve had in years.

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Moments later, a Brazilian journalist couldn’t help but comment: “You all said it was a normal weekend, but… well… it wasn’t.” This seemed like an appropriate moment to cut through.

Norris, who tops the list, is set to become Britain’s 11th F1 world champion in the sport’s 75th anniversary year and the first McLaren winner since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Verstappen could become the fourth man to win five world titles. Piastri, currently 16 points behind with 25 points remaining, is looking to become Australia’s first champion in 45 years. Yes, this is not a normal weekend.

Especially since McLaren has beaten both drivers in disastrous acts of self-sabotage over the past two rounds. First, a double disqualification in Vegas opened the door for Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, and then last week’s strategy failed in Qatar.

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The latter mistake led to criticism of McLaren’s steadfast (arguably erroneous) attitude of not prioritizing any one driver. All of which raises a tantalizing prospect on Sunday: Norris, who only needs a podium, will Piastri simply step aside if instructed by his team?

Piastri answered the inevitable questions ten minutes later with a smile and served early on the team’s court. “It’s not something we discussed,” the calm Australian said. “I didn’t have answers until I knew what was expected of me.”

Maybe a Netflix mic could be plugged in, but it would be great if it was a fly on the wall during McLaren’s regular pre-race meeting on Sunday morning. By then, of course, the starting grid for the 58-lap Grand Prix will have been determined.

“It’s up to the Oscars to allow it, it’s not up to me,” Norris admitted, before forcing out an underlying message.

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“Would I like to [cede position for a title] Or not? Personally, I would – that’s who I am. I won’t ask this question because I think it’s an unfair question.

“But if that’s how it ends and Max wins, well done to him and let’s go to next year. It’s not going to change my life.”

This is a sentence that the 26-year-old repeats repeatedly. “My life is not going to change,” he said. Twenty years since he first got behind the wheel of a go-kart, after his parents’ multi-million pound investment and thousands of hours away from home, it’s just a casual remark that won’t fool anyone.

It’s a feeling often felt by Norris, the baby-faced, good-natured Somerset racer keen to put on a tough exterior amid the hustle and bustle of a world title race. Many of Thursday’s answers began with “I don’t know,” and thankfully were preceded by a more thoughtful and detailed reply. McLaren canceled all other media duties for both drivers; there’s really no excuse for the lack of involvement.

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Fortunately, he took off his wooden mask when asked about the deep emotions and potential consequences of Sunday’s events: What does it mean to you to be a Formula One world champion?

Norris glanced briefly at the silver championship trophy to his left and admitted, “This is my whole life, this is everything I’ve worked for. It means the world to me and everyone who has pushed me to get to this point in the last 16 years of my life.”

“It’s going to mean everything…it’s going to be the reward for a lot of hard work.”

For his part, Piastri simply said it would be “really cool.” He added: “I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Max is the best qualified to say that… but I think you’ll move on soon.”

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That was another noticeable tone of the half-hour Q&A. While all three would occasionally break ranks with witty repartee, the indomitable Verstappen rarely looked so relaxed. The Dutchman sealed his first title in 2021 amid drama and will undoubtedly be the best man to deal with whatever situation is put in front of him should the typical season-defining chaos unfold on Sunday.

A year after a bitter feud with George Russell, Verstappen is at a different stage in his life. Norris and Piastri have spent the past few days relaxing by playing golf and cricket, with the Dutchman spending time with his six-month-old daughter while preparing for next year’s GT3 and simulator racing teams.

The importance of the occasion for each rider is perhaps best reflected by the family members in attendance. Understandably, both Norris and Piastri’s parents will be at Yas Island on Sunday, but Verstappen, who scored 104 points in August, will have no such live support.

“My father is rallying in Africa [competing in the East African Safari Classic in Kenya] “My mom is at home and happy with the dogs,” he said. “They didn’t expect to be here – all plans after Zandvoort were canceled [in August.].

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“I don’t need them here to motivate me. My mom lights a candle before every race weekend … but I think they believe in their son.”

They are right to do so. Verstappen has all the momentum, having won five of the last eight races, and the expertise when the pressure is at its highest. McLaren has failed to win the title twice – a third time would give Red Bull the most unfathomable of world titles.

But if McLaren simply executes an efficient weekend, that should be enough to propel Norris into the elite ranks.