Winning in Brazil would be “more special” because of Ayrton Senna's McLaren legacy

McLaren’s Lando Norris discussed the importance of winning in Brazil due to Ayrton Senna’s legacy.

The Briton heads into the Brazil Grand Prix leading the drivers’ championship with just one point over his team-mate Oscar Piastri. While Norris argued that no one race is more important than any other, some races are more special than others, such as the British and Monaco Grands Prix.

“In terms of importance, I don’t go into any race thinking one is more important than another for any meaning. I think every race is important in terms of championship,” he explained to the media in Interlagos.

“All the races for me in my head are the same in terms of importance of history. But there are ones that are more special to win. But I wouldn’t say more important. But more special, you know, when you think of Silverstone, Monaco, ones with that history.

“Of course, this is one, especially because you relate everything to Ayrton and the history that he had. Also with McLaren, specifically. It would be more special. It’s important. Every race is important. But it would be more special, I think.”

The McLaren driver added: “You know, ever having my name or ever having that chance of seeing my name next to these kind of people. I think for me it always puts a smile on my face. I never got to watch Ayrton race or anything like that.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Daniel Cardenas / Anadolu via Getty Images

“I never really knew how good he was. For my name ever to be put on the same trophy or alongside or whatever it may be or even in the same sentence. Same sentence I think is already pretty cool.

“It was hard to ever dream of those kind of things when I was a kid. I admire those things. Just as much as it’s nice to win everywhere else.

“It would be probably a bit more special to win here because of the history that Interlagos has.”

While Norris is battling it out with Piastri for his first championship victory, the threat of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has increased over recent races. The four-time champion is still very much in the running for the title, sitting 36 points behind Norris.

Photos from Sao Paulo GP – Thursday