Lando Norris makes rare admission after previous self-critical blows

Lando Norris has given himself a rare pat on the back following his Dutch Grand Prix victory on Sunday.

Following a major update to the MCL40 unleashed over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Norris has thrust himself into outside contention to retain his F1 drivers' title by clinching back-to-back victories at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.

Ahead of the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, in which championship leader Kimi Antonelli will take a 10-place grid penalty for a power unit component change, Norris trails the 19-year-old by 83 points.

At Zandvoort, despite starting from pole position, Norris had to fight his way past Antonelli during the race after losing his advantage at the restart following home hero Max Verstappen's crash on the opening lap.

The Briton then delivered a consummate drive en route to the chequered flag to at least put himself back into the conversation for a championship challenge.

McLaren and Norris certainly have Mercedes, Antonelli, and George Russell worried. Antonelli, in particular, is concerned that his car is now only the second quickest on the grid.

As for Norris, a driver who has so often berated himself in the past for mistakes or performances, he at least felt that the strength of his car aside, what he delivered at Zandvoort was worthy of praise from within.

"If I didn’t get Kimi when I overtook him, I don’t think I would have won the race," said Norris, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365.

"But I know how good a job I’m doing behind the wheel. Of course, I’m never one to over-talk about myself, normally always the complete opposite.

"But for once, I would give myself a little bit of credit that I feel like I’m doing a better job than everyone, and I think that can also make a difference. We certainly have a car now capable of beating them."

Mercedes v McLaren

Norris confirmed that following what was effectively a below-par performance in Saturday's sprint, finishing third behind Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, he "worked a lot" on his driving, contributing primarily to him clinching pole for the second successive race as the team "didn't really change much" with the car going into the grand prix.

Believing McLaren and Mercedes have "a very similar car", he feels it was his input more than anything else that contributed to the win.

"I think they [Mercedes] have a better all-round performing car than we do," said Norris. "We are more specific in high speed. Turns 7 and 8 were our biggest two corners where I would gain time.

"You know, if I'd made one mistake in qualifying and [I had started] P3, P4, P5, I’m not going to win, and then no one’s going to be saying these things [about McLaren having the fastest car].

"So the fact I’m doing a good job is, I think, why people are saying it."