F1 News
Windsor hammers Norris: 'never seen him make more mistakes in F1 career'
Peter Windsor has slammed Lando Norris for his decision-making after the Hungarian Grand Prix. The famed Formula 1 journalist believes the McLaren driver should've made different decisions in a race that was encapsulated by Mclaren's controversial team orders decision to let Oscar Piastri win his first Grand Prix. In his own post-race analysis, Windsor makes it clear the direction he believes Norris should've taken in Hungary.
"I've been saying for several years now how good Lando Norris is when he's in a rhythm and when he's driving under pressure. in Miami this year. But I've got to say, today in Hungary, I've never seen Lando make more mistakes in the space of two hours," Windsor began. "And none of them involve the way he was driving the car. The first was about two-thirds distance, when they got on the radio to Lando for the umpteenth time, saying, Lando, radio check, effectively to say have you been listening to what we're saying, you should be letting Oscar pass and Lando, instead of simulating some sort of crackling noise or indeed ignoring it, completely replied, 'yeah, I can hear you loud and clear', what was that all about? I mean give me a break." The former Williams team manager insinuates that if Norris was not going to let Piastri by, the Brit should've ignored his team.
Windsor: 'Why on earth didn't Norris renew as No.1 driver?'
Windsor, however, believes that Norris wasn't just making mistakes at the Hungaroring. The Miami Grand Prix winner's contract with McLaren runs beyond the 2026 season, and Windsor thinks the young Brit made a mistake in negotiations. "I think it goes even deeper than that. On the one side of the coin, I think it goes to why on earth Lando Norris when he renewed his long-term contract with McLaren, with Oscar Piastri already in the other car and looking really quick, want to renew. If you want me to renew we need to be sure who's the championship contender here, and every opportunity I have to win a grand prix I want to have it, why wouldn't he have said that? I find it extraordinary," Windsor explained.
A 'world champion' would never let that happen, says Windsor
"Maybe overconfidence, maybe a bit of arrogance, thinking that he'd always be quicker than Oscar. If a guy like Oscar Piastri was that quick and joined Ferrari when Michael (Schumacher) was there, Michael would agree with the team, no problem, if Oscar had a chance to win the race and he's quicker than me and I'm right behind him, I'm happy to let that happen. He would never have done that in a million years. Winning the championship is about looking after the prime driver and McLaren's prime driver in my opinion is Lando Norris." Windsor concluded. Norris will aim to bounce back from the disappointment in Spa. Having now finished second a remarkable 12 times with just a single victory, Norris will be more motivated than ever.