Formula One Norris: There are always people who try to bring you down a bit

LANDO Norris has “ignored everyone that has talked crap about him’ after dominating the Sao Paulo Grand Prix to tighten his grip on securing a first Formula One world championship.

- Philip DUNCAN

Norris arrived in Brazil holding a one-point lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

But he will head for Las Vegas in a fortnight’s time leading by 24 points with only 83 available across the final three rounds after he followed up his sprint win on Saturday with another dominant display in the main event.

Piastri crashed out of the sprint, and then finished fifth on Sunday, after he served a 10-second penalty for colliding with Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen, pictured, fought back from a pit-lane start to third with a typically brilliant drive, but he has now fallen 49 points off the championship pace.

Norris appeared to be crumbling under the weight of expectation in his superior McLaren.

However, the 25-year-old is delivering when it matters most - with his win here his second in a row following an equally dominant triumph in Mexico.