Formula 1 fans stunned by ‘crazy’ Lando Norris stat after ‘terrible’ Dutch Grand Prix start

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Lando Norris has not got a great record when it comes to starting at the front of the grid.

The Brit is fighting for the 2024 Formula 1 championship with defending champion Max Verstappen, with Norris showing brilliant skill and pace across the year.

McLaren’s resurgence in form has played a huge part in Norris’ success, as the Woking-based squad have a package that is capable of being quicker than and beating Red Bull in qualifying and in the race.

This is evidenced by Norris’ three pole positions thus far in Spain, Hungary and most recently in Zandvoort. The 24-year-old has now amassed four career pole positions.

But the McLaren driver does not take advantage of that on race day. At the Dutch Grand Prix, his title rival and hometown hero Verstappen blasted past him at the start and took the lead before the first corner.

Lando Norris is 0-6 for grabbing pole and maintaining the lead after lap one

For Norris, this makes it 0-6 for starting on pole and leading after the first lap; all four times he has started on pole – the first being back in 2021 at the Russian Grand Prix – and twice in the sprint races in Brazil last season and China this year.

Many F1 fans took to X to express their bewilderment at the McLaren driver’s statistic.

One fan wrote: “It can’t keep happening.”

Another added: “This is crazy.”

“It’s not just the opening lap, it’s leading after turn 1,” one said. While another echoed these thoughts: “Couldn’t even make it to the first corner in the lead hahaha.”

There was yet more surprise at the stat, with one adding: “It looks terrible and if he doesn’t win, he’ll spill a lot.”

Finally, another wrote: “He didn’t move at all with that start.”

How much has Lando Norris’ starts from pole cost him?

In most cases, the Brit has been able to show his ability behind the wheel and fight back for solid results, but Norris has dropped points to Verstappen on numerous occasions.

In the sprint race in China, Norris dropped down to seventh from pole and finished sixth while Verstappen took victory. In Spain, he lost the lead to Russell, but managed to finish second and grab the fastest lap, again finishing behind Verstappen.

In Hungary, Norris lost out to teammate Oscar Piastri, but suddenly ended up in the lead when McLaren pitted the Brit first. The team relayed constant radio messages to Norris to let his teammate back past, which he eventually did, with the matter causing controversy and several key figures disagreeing with the messages sent to Norris.

The Brit would redeem himself at Zandvoort after losing the lead to Verstappen, where the Red Bull driver appeared to struggle with grip. Norris got past the Dutchman on lap 18 and held on for his second career win and closes the gap to 70 points.