Lando Norris was not totally satisfied after winning in Brazil on Sunday.

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil
Lando Norris won both races in Brazil (Image: Getty)

Lando Norris told a reporter ‘I can say what I want’ after stating that he does not expect McLaren to be the favourites at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. The British racer made it back-to-back wins on Sunday, completing a memorable clean sweep in Brazil.

Norris now heads into the season-ending triple header with momentum on his side and a 24-point buffer to team-mate Oscar Piastri, who sits second in the World Championship standings. The Bristol-born Brit scored both pole positions and won both races at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace throughout the weekend.

Yet, as he heads to Las Vegas, he is not confident. After all, he crashed out early doors at the street circuit’s inaugural event in 2023, and watching Max Verstappen wrap up the title as he crossed the line sixth there last time around.

Norris discussed McLaren’s prospects in the post-race press conference in Sao Paulo, denouncing the team’s billing as favourites for the race in two weekends. A reporter questioned this, but the Brit fired back to defend his stance.

“No, I can say what I want, I can think what I want,” Norris replied. “I tell you what I always am, I always try to be as honest as I can be. If I don’t think we’re going to be quick, I don’t think we’re going to be quick. And I’m not saying I’m going to be 10th, I’m just saying I think it’s going to be difficult to win.

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil
Norris now has a 24-point lead in the World Championship (Image: Getty)

“We were a long way off. Just go and look at the data from last year, look at the racetrace, we were miles off. And there’s been plenty of races where we’ve not been quick enough this year, so it’s not like we’ve won every single race and you’re expecting me to say those things.

“I’m just giving my opinion on ‘Do I think it’s going to be as easy?’ I won last weekend by 30 seconds, very, very easy. I won today by pushing a lot more, only 10 seconds, and Max was probably the quickest out on track today.”

Norris went on to add: “I’m giving my opinion, I’m giving my honest opinion on how I think we’re going to be. We’ve never been good there, so I’m not the most confident about going into this race.

“Maybe I’ll win, then we’ll see. But I’m not going to lie and say ‘yeah, I’m very confident and I think it’s going to be an easy weekend’ because I don’t think that’s how it’s going to be. So no, I mean, you’re very right to have your own opinion on what you think I should say and what I should not say and whatever, but I’ll do what I like.”