Norris Confident of Hat-Trick at Monza: 'It's Certainly the Plan'

After two consecutive victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, Lando Norris arrives at Monza with the mindset of a champion looking to reclaim his reign. The British driver did not hide his ambition: 'It's certainly the plan' when asked about the possibility of securing a third consecutive win. But behind that confidence lies a complex picture of circuit-dependent performance, a duel with Mercedes, and a McLaren that has just turned its fortunes around after a lacklustre start. The 2026 season has not been easy for McLaren. A 'lacklustre' start forced the reigning champions to struggle in search of rhythm. However, since the Hungarian Grand Prix, everything has changed. Norris has repeatedly stood on the top step, turning a winning streak into an enormous morale boost for the Woking-based squad. He admits: the MCL car behaves differently at every circuit, and not every track is one he looks forward to. That raises a big question: Is Monza a place where McLaren truly shines, or merely an illusion created by two consecutive wins? Monza is the temple of speed. Fast corners such as Curva Grande, Lesmo, and Parabolica demand optimal aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed downforce. Norris believes that is precisely the car's strength: 'We have good high-speed corners at Monza which we want to make use of.' History supports him – McLaren has often succeeded on Italian soil. But the rival Mercedes remains the dominant force. The fact that Norris is the only non-Mercedes driver to claim back-to-back victories highlights the gap still present. To dream of a hat-trick, McLaren needs a perfect day both strategically and operationally. The contract extension until 2030 sends a powerful message of commitment. Norris is not only betting his future on McLaren but also rejecting offers from other teams, including Red Bull. 'Family' and 'happiness' are words he uses to explain his decision. This reflects a mature Norris who values human connections over purely sporting results. However, risks remain: if McLaren fails to sustain its development momentum, the long-term deal could become an obstacle to his title ambitions. But for now, he chooses belief. Looking back at the Dutch round, the 'hard-fought' victory shows that McLaren does not have outright superior pace. They won through sharp strategy, race reading, and tire management. That further supports the theory that the British team holds a competitive advantage in Sunday execution. If that repeats at Monza, the hat-trick is no longer a fantasy. Yet the underlying risk lies in the dependency on circuit characteristics. Norris has admitted there are tracks he is 'not looking forward to.' That warns of a machine that only truly transforms on high-speed circuits. If Mercedes possesses a more consistent car across all track types, McLaren's title hopes will rely on maximizing points where they are strong and minimizing damage elsewhere. That is the classic challenger's dilemma. For Vietnamese fans, Norris's story offers much food for thought. A young man once doubted, once slow to start, but who never stopped working to turn criticism into motivation. The journey from 'stranger' to champion proves that persistence and self-belief can change the course of a career. In a sport dominated by numbers and technology, the human element remains the ultimate differentiator. Monza awaits Norris with immense pressure. Once consecutive wins become a yardstick, all eyes turn to him. But the 2026 champion has learned to handle expectations. He promises nothing: 'We will see tomorrow how the pace is.' That statement is both cautious and a way to control the media narrative. In reality, his team already has a Monza-specific simulation package ready, but publicly downplays expectations to reduce pressure. Nevertheless, the basis for believing in a hat-trick is real. Monza is among the circuits that McLaren and Norris both love. Moreover, the mental momentum is at its peak after two 'hard-fought' victories. If the team maintains calm in pit-stop decisions, and if the car performs as calculated, no one can exclude them from the contest. Mercedes remains the number one contender, but in a season full of twists, nothing is certain. Norris's story is also tied to McLaren's resurgence as a collective. Once considered a mediocre team, they now stand alongside Mercedes in the championship fight. The secret lies in retaining key personnel and building a 'family' environment – something other teams cannot replicate. That is a long-term strategy, an investment in a winning culture. And Norris, with his contract until 2030, is the symbol of that belief. However, pundits also point out that the extensions of Norris and Verstappen have practically frozen the top driver market. This makes the battle for seats at midfield teams more interesting. For Audi, Aston Martin, or even Ferrari, they must look for young talents or target second-tier drivers. The driver landscape becomes more stable, but also loses the upheaval that is a spice of F1. Technically, the long-term deal allows McLaren to plan multi-year development under the cost cap. They can confidently invest in infrastructure, wind tunnel, and the design team without fearing the loss of their cornerstone. This stability is particularly valuable in the new era, where the 2026 technical regulations have reshaped the hierarchy. McLaren has adapted better than most, and Norris directly benefits. Looking back at the start of the season, many doubted Norris's ability to defend his title. But he has shown the character of a champion. Instead of complaining about the car, he focuses on what is within his control. His talk of 'things in control' reflects a very mature mindset. That is exactly what differentiates a good driver from a legend. At Monza, Norris will not only race against opponents on track but also against prejudice. Some say his two recent wins were just luck or due to Mercedes issues. He needs another victory to completely silence the doubters. A hat-trick at the temple of speed would be the most emphatic statement. From the perspective of a Vietnamese abroad, I see a parallel between Norris's journey and those who have overcome adversity. He was not born into a racing family, no famous father as a driver. He came to F1 through relentless effort, learning from failures. And when the opportunity came, he seized it with both hands. That is an inspiring story for anyone pursuing their dreams. Returning to the Monza race, strategy will play a crucial role. With low tire degradation on this track, a one-stop race is highly likely. This demands absolute precision. McLaren has made mistakes in the past, but this year they show remarkable improvement in decision-making. If they maintain that form, another victory is entirely possible. One cannot ignore the absence of Red Bull in the current duel. Even though Verstappen remains an excellent driver, their car no longer seems to be a worthy rival. This makes the championship a two-team battle between Mercedes and McLaren. For the Italian tifosi, they hope Ferrari can join, but based on what we have seen, chances are slim. As for Norris, he races not only for himself but for a team that has placed its trust in him. The long-term contract is a two-way bond: he commits to giving his best, while the team commits to producing a car capable of competing. This is a partnership where one's success depends on the other. If McLaren continues on the right path, Norris can dream of more titles. In F1, they often say that great drivers know how to make a difference in decisive moments. Norris is at the peak of his career. He has experience, has a title, and now is the time to accumulate more statistics to elevate his name to a new level. Monza could be the perfect springboard. This race also holds special meaning for Vietnamese fans. Although F1 has not yet held a race in Vietnam, interest in the sport is growing. Stories like Norris's – from a doubted young man to the pinnacle of glory – always have a strong appeal. It reminds us that no path is strewn with roses, but those who persevere will find light at the end of the tunnel. Ultimately, a hat-trick at Monza is not just a personal milestone. It would be a declaration that McLaren has truly returned, that Norris is ready to dominate a new era. And for passionate fans of the sport of speed, it will be a performance worth waiting for. Let us wait together on Sunday, as cars speed through the Parabolica corner, to see whether Norris can turn the plan into reality. In F1, anything can happen. And if there is one person bold enough to make a surprise, it is this British lad with number 4. In conclusion, the story is still ahead. Monza is just one stop in a long journey. Whatever the result, Norris has proven himself a true champion, not only by wins but by how he faces challenges. And that, perhaps, is the most important thing sport brings.