Norris addresses key fault ahead of crunch Verstappen battle

Lando Norris is confident he has done enough to improve his race starts as he prepares to go head-to-head against Max Verstappen for victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Norris has been critical of some of his race starts this season, including last time out in Belgium when he lost several positions on the opening lap.

The McLaren driver will take the race start at Zandvoort from pole position, sharing the front row with championship leader Max Verstappen.

Norris outlined he has worked hard to ensure his opening lap escapades leave him on the front foot rather than slipping backwards.

“I know my starts have not been my forte,” Norris told media including RacingNews365. “They've not been bad, honestly, I'm still up there with being one of the best average starters. 

“I've just missed out on a couple of races and maybe slightly worse than what it's been over the course of a season. 

“There's a couple of times when they've not been quite where they need to be have been a couple of times I've been on the front row. 

“So like I said, they've not been for any certain reason. They've been different things each time. But I feel confident I put in a good amount of work to try and make my starts a bit better.”

Norris 'not desperate' to win Dutch GP

The race will mark Norris' fourth start from pole position, and he is yet to convert one into a race victory.

A win would see the Briton eat into Verstappen's mammoth championship lead - however, Norris asserted he is not “desperate” to take the chequered flag first.

“I want to win, but I'm not desperate,” he said. “I know you want that little headline right there, but I'm not going to give it to you. 

“I want to win. I'm working hard to win. We all do as a team. All of us here want to win, but not desperate, because desperation doesn't succeed to anything. So it makes no difference. I'm trying very hard. 

“And if you want to kind of put that into the headline, then that's fine. I had places to work on over the winter. I worked hard over the summer. 

“I've worked hard on them. Little bits are paying off already, but tomorrow is obviously the biggest place of it all to show. So working hard for a win, but not desperate.”