Lewis Hamilton
113
0
3. Charles Leclerc
99
0
4. Lando Norris
101
1
5. George Russell
98
0
Verstappen’s comments after last Sunday’s race that his car was ‘undriveable’ in the closing laps was taken with a pinch of salt by Norris.
He said: I’m sure it was difficult, but it’s easy to say that after the race when you’ve just fended off quite a bit of pressure from someone who is very close to you.
It’s easy to say that it was undriveable. I’m sure there were things he would have done differently, maybe if he knew I was coming that quickly or he was going to face that much pressure towards the end.
But it’s part of racing, it’s part of what we do. You’re always going to face those challenges. It’s not the first time, it’s not the last time.
With just one win to his name, Norris has enjoyed a breakout season in his fourth year in F1 and is already just 12 points shy of his total tally from the entire 2023 campaign.
This is the first time I’ve been in this position, he said. I’ve never been in the position to fight for a championship or this consistently been in the position to fight for a championship.
It’s all new to me, it’s all different. But I’m enjoying it, the team’s enjoying it, and we’re just going to keep pushing, keep trying to get better, and keep trying to achieve more.
McLaren holds a prestigious record as the most successful team in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix, having secured a total of 15 wins. However, their last victory at this iconic race was back in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel. In recent years, McLaren’s performance at Monaco has been lackluster, with only one podium finish since 2011, which was Lando Norris’ third-place finish in 2021. Last year, both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri struggled at the event, finishing ninth and tenth respectively, and even being lapped during the race.
The Monaco Grand Prix last year came just before McLaren introduced a significant car upgrade in Austria, which proved to be a game-changer for the team. However, the street layout of Monaco with its slow-speed corners remained a challenge for McLaren. In an effort to address this weakness, the team focused on improving their performance in such conditions with their major car upgrade in Miami. The upcoming race at Monaco will put their new car, the MCL38, to the test on the tight and twisting streets of Monte Carlo.
Ayrton Senna, the legendary Brazilian driver, played a significant role in McLaren’s success at Monaco, securing five out of their 15 wins at the event. Senna’s dominance at Monaco from 1989 to 1993 remains unmatched, making him the most successful driver at this circuit with a total of six wins. To honor Senna’s legacy, McLaren will be running their car in the colors of the Brazilian national flag at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, marking 30 years since his tragic death. Norris, who was born five years after Senna’s passing, expressed his admiration for the legendary driver and expressed his wish to have witnessed Senna’s exploits on the streets of Monaco.
Reflecting on Senna’s legacy, Norris remarked, “Especially Senna around Monaco is something everyone has heard of, seen, spoken of. I wish I could go back in time and witness that kind of thing.” The tribute to Senna serves as a motivation for Norris and the entire McLaren team, acknowledging the achievements and influence of the legendary driver in Formula 1. The Monaco Grand Prix provides a fitting stage to celebrate Senna’s success and his special connection with McLaren.
The upcoming Monaco Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event for McLaren, as they look to build on their recent positive performances. The team’s focus on improving their performance in slow-speed corners will be put to the test on the challenging street circuit. With the legacy of Ayrton Senna inspiring them, McLaren aims to deliver a strong showing at Monaco and add to their historic success at the prestigious race.
The Monaco Grand Prix weekend schedule includes a series of practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race on Sunday. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with extensive coverage of the event. With McLaren paying tribute to Ayrton Senna and aiming to overcome their previous struggles at Monaco, the stage is set for an exciting and memorable race weekend at the iconic street circuit.