Lando Norris has revealed the mental toll that being mugged last Sunday has taken and how it has left him “not in perfect condition” while preparing for the British Grand Prix.
Norris was mugged outside Wembley stadium following the Euro 2020 football final between England and Italy on Sunday night.
There were violent scenes before and after the match, which England lost, including people without tickets forcing their way into the ground.
McLaren said Norris “was involved in an incident… during which the watch he was wearing was taken”, while it was reported Norris was accosted while getting into his McLaren road car, held and robbed.
Norris said ahead on Thursday at Silverstone that the situation was “tough” and he was simply “unlucky”, and has spent the past few days trying to move past the ordeal.
“I don’t really want to go into too much detail, but I’m thankful I’m here,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
“It’s not the nicest experience for anyone to go through, and it’s not only me that it’s happened to, it’s happened to other people.
“It’s something I don’t wish upon anyone, and of course if anyone else goes through it, I can sympathise with them, I know what they feel like.
“It’s tough, it’s been a tough few days since to kind of get over it and make sure I’m sleeping well and everything.
“So, I’m not in the perfect condition but I’m happy I’m here and I’m still healthy and reasonably good.”
The 21-year-old is enjoying his strongest F1 season so far, scoring three podiums and lying fourth in the championship – ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas.
He said he expected to be “alright in the car” once he hits the track for Friday practice at his home grand prix but admitted “I’ve been better” in the build-up.
“I’m not in perfect condition, I’m not going to lie,” he reiterated. “So, some work to do, mentally.
“Of course, I talk about that a lot, mental health. Mental strength is very important.
“I’ve not been sleeping that great, and so on, so not ideal, and I’m feeling a bit sore.
“But I’m not the guy in the worst position after Wembley. I’ll work on it, I’ll make sure I’m feeling better and I’m in the best shape possible.
“I feel like I can still go out and focus on the job I need to do, that’s the main thing.”
