Damon Hill absolutely loved what McLaren star Lando Norris just said after the Italian Grand Prix

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The Italian Grand Prix looked perfectly set up for McLaren to overtake Red Bull Racing in the Constructors’ Championship.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri started on the front row alongside each other with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez only capable of qualifying 7^th and 8^th.

Christian Horner will be concerned that Verstappen was only able to make up one position due to George Russell’s difficult race and Perez was once again at the back of the drivers from the top four teams.

However, Charles Leclerc pulled off a phenomenal one-stop strategy and after overtaking Norris early on in the race, held off a charging Piastri to enjoy his second Italian Grand Prix win of his career.

It was a bitter blow for McLaren boss Andrea Stella who will be well aware of the opportunity they missed at Monza.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

In particular, Norris will be left frustrated that he once again couldn’t lead a lap from pole position, a trait that will begin to play on his mind every time he starts at the front of a race.

Damon Hill reflected on the race on social media and one comment in particular from Norris he really enjoyed.

Norris looked forlorn in his interview with Nico Rosberg but was gracious in defeat, even if he would have liked to have recorded back-to-back race wins.

Damon Hill enjoyed Lando Norris comment after the Italian Grand Prix

Asked about the pass from Piastri on the first lap that saw him lose the lead of the race and a position to Leclerc, Norris said: “Of course [Piastri caught me by surprise] because he got past.

“But Ferrari drove a better race today so hats off to them. We considered [a one-stop] the whole race but it was impossible with our graining.

“Ferrari did a better job, so hats off to them.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

In response to that answer, Hill took to X and said: “Great response from Landon on Nico’s question about Oscar. Good sport.”

Hill also praised Leclerc after the race and added: “That was a great victory for Ferrari and Charles.

“What were you saying about the strategy? Ye of little faith.”

McLaren’s ‘papaya rules’ can’t prevent Charles Leclerc winning the Italian Grand Prix

Norris and Piastri were told by Zak Brown not to race into turn one on the opening lap but after that, it was fair game.

The Australian took full advantage of that by overtaking his teammate at the next chicane although it compromised Norris so much that he lost out to Leclerc.

McLaren’s drivers were told to follow ‘papaya rules’ later in the race to avoid impacting each other’s chances of running to the chequered flag.

Piastri drove brilliantly and unlike in Hungary where Norris had to slow down to let him through, the Brit couldn’t get close to him in the final laps.

The gap at the top of the Drivers’ Championship has been cut to 62 points but it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Norris to close that gap if small errors continue to creep into his races.