Lando Norris Aims for a Monza Hat-Trick but Stays Cautious
Lando Norris is eyeing a third consecutive win at the Italian Grand Prix but remains realistic about McLaren's position. Despite recent victories, Norris acknowledges the unpredictability of car performance at different tracks.
Lando Norris is heading into the Italian Grand Prix with an optimistic yet measured outlook. The McLaren driver, fresh off victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, is aiming to keep the momentum going at Monza. However, he's quick to point out that while a hat-trick is "certainly the plan," the car's performance is not always predictable.
After a rocky start to 2026, Norris bounced back with a win in Hungary, followed by another in Zandvoort, making him the only non-Mercedes driver to achieve back-to-back wins this season. But as he gears up for Monza, Norris is wary of making any bold predictions, noting that each track presents its own set of challenges.
"It's hard to know," Norris admitted when asked about his confidence in securing a third win. "We're at a stage where predicting our position is difficult. Rather than speculate, we're focusing on what we can control and trying to improve."
Despite the unpredictability, Norris is hopeful. "It's another track where we want to prove things," he said. "We've had success here before, and although there are tracks ahead that I'm less enthusiastic about, Monza offers some good high-speed corners that we can exploit."
The season is long, and Norris is conscious of the variety of tracks still to come. "The goal is to maintain our recent performances, but we'll have to see how the pace holds up," he remarked.
Adding to his optimistic outlook, Norris recently extended his contract with McLaren until the end of 2030, joining Max Verstappen in committing to a long-term future with his current team. "I just love where I am," Norris shared about the decision. "I don't want to change teams. I've been with McLaren since the beginning, and I believe in what we can achieve together."
For Norris, it's not just about performance but also about being in a place where he's happy, surrounded by people he considers family. "Not everything in life is about performance," he added. "I just want to be happy, and McLaren is where I find that happiness."
As he prepares for the Italian Grand Prix, Norris remains focused on the task at hand, acknowledging both the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead.