Formula 1

Lando Norris: Winning in Brazil would be “more special” because of Ayrton Senna's McLaren legacy

McLaren’s Lando Norris discussed the importance of winning in Brazil due to Ayrton Senna’s legacy.

The Briton heads into the Brazil Grand Prix leading the drivers’ championship with just one point over his team-mate Oscar Piastri. While Norris argued that no one race is more important than any other, some races are more special than others, such as the British and Monaco Grands Prix.

“In terms of importance, I don’t go into any race thinking one is more important than another for any meaning. I think every race is important in terms of championship,” he explained to the media in Interlagos.

“All the races for me in my head are the same in terms of importance of history. But there are ones that are more special to win. But I wouldn’t say more important. But more special, you know, when you think of Silverstone, Monaco, ones with that history.

“Of course, this is one, especially because you relate everything to Ayrton and the history that he had. Also with McLaren, specifically. It would be more special. It’s important. Every race is important. But it would be more special, I think.”

The McLaren driver added: “You know, ever having my name or ever having that chance of seeing my name next to these kind of people. I think for me it always puts a smile on my face. I never got to watch Ayrton race or anything like that.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Daniel Cardenas / Anadolu via Getty Images

“I never really knew how good he was. For my name ever to be put on the same trophy or alongside or whatever it may be or even in the same sentence. Same sentence I think is already pretty cool.

“It was hard to ever dream of those kind of things when I was a kid. I admire those things. Just as much as it’s nice to win everywhere else.

“It would be probably a bit more special to win here because of the history that Interlagos has.”

While Norris is battling it out with Piastri for his first championship victory, the threat of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has increased over recent races. The four-time champion is still very much in the running for the title, sitting 36 points behind Norris.

Photos from Sao Paulo GP – Thursday

Bodywork on the Mercedes AMG F1 Team car

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Sebastian Vettel

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

The flags of Brazil and the state and city of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Mechanics at work

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Sebastian Vettel, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Bernie Ecclestone

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Mini helmets of Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

Car of Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP – Thursday, in photos

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