Damon Hill far from impressed by ‘weird’ Lando Norris comments

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Lando Norris arrives at the Belgian Grand Prix in pursuit of his second win of the season. As it stands, he’s one of six drivers behind Max Verstappen who only have a single victory to their name.

But the difference between Norris and his rivals is that he’s passed up several opportunities. He could be far closer to Verstappen – the gap is currently 76 points – if he and McLaren had shown better execution.

There were strategic lapses at the Canadian and British Grands Prix, both races Norris was leading after making overtakes from third on the grid. The 24-year-old has also taken two pole positions so far, but sluggish starts cost him in both Barcelona and Budapest.

Last time out, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri squeezed his way past into turn one in what proved to be a decisive move. Piastri was able to largely control the race thereafter.

Even when Norris got ahead through a favourable strategy, the team ordered him to cede the position. After expressing much reluctance, he did so.

The events at the Hungaroring have increased the pressure on Norris this weekend. And with Verstappen taking a penalty for an engine component change, this isn’t a chance he can afford to miss.

Damon Hill questions ‘dismissive’ Lando Norris remarks to Lewis Hamilton

Speaking in the cooldown room post-Hungary, third-place finisher Lewis Hamilton remarked upon just how ‘fast’ the McLarens were. Norris replied that Mercedes ‘were fast seven years ago’ and ‘made the most of it’, but ‘now it’s us’.

Hamilton pointed out that ‘seven years ago is a long time’ and stressed that he was ‘complimenting’ Norris rather than ‘complaining’ about the situation. Speaking ahead of the Belgian GP (Sky Sports), the seven-time world champion addressed the exchange.

“It didn’t bother me, no,” he said. “I’m nearly 40 years old, so I remember being in my mid-20s, and I remember when I go back and look at things that I said I would say differently or I would have reacted differently.

“I noticed when you come out of the race you feel like you should have won and your emotions are spiralling. I see that. It’s an age thing and I don’t take it personally.”

1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill praised Hamilton’s ‘generous’ response. But he questioned why Norris made the comments in the first place.

Hill wrote on X: “Yeah. It was a bit weird though. Dismissive even? LH giving a typically generous and mature interpretation on it.”

What Norris was spotted doing in the garage after Hungary disappointment

It’s unclear whether Norris would stand by what he said now that he’s had time to reflect. But what is clear is that he found it difficult to digest the way the race panned out.

Norris was apparently crying in the McLaren garage afterwards, with his mechanics trying to surround him. One photographer managed to get a picture nonetheless.

The Briton seems to be under the impression that the lost points could be costly in the championship. He’s the equivalent of about three race wins behind Verstappen.

However, history suggests a fightback is possible. Kimi Raikkonen overturned a similar deficit in 2007, but from this point on, there’s simply no room for error.