Lando Norris to boycott social media after being subjected to fresh abuse as F1 star falls behind Oscar Piastri
LANDO NORRIS has boycotted social media after falling behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race.
Despite Norris’ pre-season billing as the Championship favourite, the McLaren star has been outdone by the Aussie’s momentum in the opening six races of the season.
And Norris has been subject to fresh hate and abuse since falling 16 points behind Piastri, who – despite playing second fiddle to the Brit last year – is the new bookie’s favourite.
Speaking to reporters including SunSport in the McLaren motorhome at Imola, Norris opened up about his online detox ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this Sunday.
The 25-year-old admitted: “I’ve not been on social media for a few weeks now.It’s not something I enjoy. I don’t need to be on it. It’s my life and I can do what I like.
“I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to. I still text my friends.
“But I see social media as a waste of my time and energy. I don’t need it or want it. I don’t find it interesting.
“I’ve got more time to do things that I want to do, I play golf and train and want to be productive.”
Of course, it’s still too early to write any driver off with 16 more races up for grabs, but the feeling in the Norris camp seems somewhat bleak going into the European triple header.
Despite sitting second in the standings, Norris also revealed he feels “unhappy” with how his MCL39 feels and isn’t bothered about winning the title.
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Asked if he was thinking about the title standings, Norris said: “No, is the answer.
“I don’t care about it and won’t think about it. It is easy for things to change.
“Oscar has done a good job. But a lot of it is just focusing on myself.
“He’s just another competitor. Another guy, he’s just dressed in the same colours.
“It’s been clear that there have been differences from last year in how the car works, how it acts, and how I’m able to get lap time out of it and perform.
“I’m obviously not happy at the moment, but we will see with the upgrades this week.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, 40, unfollowed everyone on Instagram, including all of his Ferrari team, in the days after his played-down radio spat with team strategists in Miami last time out.
On this, Norris added: “Lewis can do what he wants, good for him.”
The Brit’s first season since leaving Mercedes has been a big let down so far, as the Scuderia were meant to be challenging for the title after finishing second in the Constructors race last season.
Instead, Andrea Stella’s team linger a staggering 152 points behind leaders McLaren in the, while Hamilton sits 90 points adrift of Piastri and behind both Silver Arrow drivers in seventh.