European Formula 3

Lando Norris: “It’s been a very positive weekend”

2 Mins read
Lando Norris took one win and three podiums at Monza - Credit: FIA Formula 3 European Championship / Thomas Suer

Lando Norris secured his second win of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship season on Saturday and then added two second places on Sunday, and left the Autodromo Nazionale Monza sitting second in the standings.

The British driver praised his Carlin Motorsport team for giving him the car to be able to attack all weekend long.

“Overall it’s been a very positive weekend,” said Norris. “I’ve been strong all week here at Monza and that’s thanks to Carlin. Another three front row starts, a win plus two seconds is extremely pleasing and good in terms of points for the championship.”

Norris dropped to fifth heading into turn one on the opening lap in Saturday’s opening race but made good passes on those ahead before closing down a large gap to team-mate Jehan Daruvala.

With four laps remaining, the McLaren Junior found a way through to take the lead, leading home a Carlin 1-2-3 ahead of Daruvala and Ferdinand Habsburg.

“Qualifying for Race 1 on Friday was a fight as to who could get the best tow while jostling for position. When the Red Flag came out I was P14 but in the final seven minutes, I pushed as hard as I could, behind Callum [Ilott].

“I made mistakes on my first two laps but things went better by the third and final lap to get onto the front row. In the race, I didn’t make the best of starts, dropped briefly down to fifth, but kept my head down and picked off the cars in front of me. It was a great Carlin performance with a podium lock-out.”

Norris continued his strong form on Sunday, starting both races from the front row, but he continued to struggle with his starts leaving him with work to do later in the races, but he finished a close second behind Joel Eriksson in race two and Callum Ilott in race three.

“Qualifying 2 on Saturday afternoon was difficult in so much as I spent much of the session behind a gaggle of cars,” said Norris. “I managed just two laps pushing because each time my lap was compromised by a car dropping back and slowing me.

“On Sunday morning, my start wasn’t great again, dropping to fourth, which is making life hard for me [in the races] so all in all I’m happy with second place. My third start was better but not great which made things tougher than necessary again and this is something I’ll be working on before the next races.”

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