Lando Norris is assured within the work he has carried out on his begins forward of the Dutch Grand Prix, as he appears to enhance a poor document of changing pole positions right into a lead.
The McLaren driver has began from pole place — or first in a Dash — on 5 events, however has by no means led the opening lap of the race. The most recent instance got here in Budapest the place Norris dropped to 3rd at first, and forward of a race the place he’ll begin from pole place forward of Max Verstappen, he admits he has been engaged on his getaways however doesn’t consider it’s a explicit weak spot.
“I do know my begins haven’t been my forté over the past [few chances],” Norris stated. “They’ve not been dangerous, actually. I’ve nonetheless been up there with being among the finest common starters, I’ve simply missed out at a few races.
“It’s possibly regarded worse than it’s been over the course of a season however there’s a few instances it’s not been the place they should be — it’s been a few instances after I’ve been on the entrance row. It’s not been for any sure motive; it’s been various things every time. However I really feel assured I’ve put in plenty of work to make my begins a bit higher and tomorrow’s a brand new day.”
The truth that Norris has did not convert pole place right into a lead up to now doesn’t play on the Briton’s thoughts, nevertheless, as he insists the earlier begins don’t affect him as soon as he’s on the grid.
“Actually, stats to me don’t imply so much. You type of get respect with stats and also you lose respect, possibly, with sure stats. Simply numbers on a display screen actually don’t imply so much from that perspective to me. After all I care however they don’t imply so much — they don’t affect me.
“It’s just like the overtaking awards and stuff — you’re at all times going to overhaul extra whenever you qualify terribly and also you’re going to have extra probability to go ahead. I’ve began in direction of the entrance plenty of instances and I do know my stats aren’t the perfect for that — most of the time I’ve gone backwards fairly than holding positions, however that’s simply what I’ve carried out up to now and I’ve labored onerous — and am working onerous — to attempt to change that.
“It’s not one thing that impacts me — I’m not going to attempt to exit tomorrow to immediately show folks improper or one thing. I’m simply going to crack on and do what I’m going to do.
“Individuals can write what they need; they will have their very own opinions. Plenty of these items are true and are information to folks nevertheless it’s extra simply use them to my benefit and enhance on my weaknesses, easy as that.”
