‘People make things up’ – Lando Norris blasts critics after ending McLaren’s 13-year wait

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Lando Norris secured his fourth pole of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix as he looks to overtake Oscar Piastri at the top of the World Championship standings.The British driver will start on the front row at Spa on Sunday alongside McLaren team-mate Piastri.GettyNorris will start on pole at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday[/caption]GettyThe Brit responded to his critics after going fastest in third qualifying at Spa[/caption]It is McLaren‘s 68th front row lockout, leaving them tied second for the most in Formula One history with Ferrari.However, they remain unable to overtake Mercedes’ record 82 lockouts before the end of the season.Meanwhile, it is their 12th pole at the Belgian Grand Prix, but a first for 13 years.Jenson Button was the last McLaren driver to top qualifying in Spa back in 2012.On that occasion, he went on to win the race ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.Norris, who finished in third spot in the Sprint race before qualifying, will be hoping to emulate his compatriot once again on Sunday after responding to his critics.And the 25-year-old had a strong message for his detractors as he spoke to Sky Sports at the end of qualifying.Reflecting on his performance, he said: “It was a decent lap, so (I’m) happy. Everyone was pretty worried after yesterday.“I wasn’t even that far off. It was just a couple of little issues that we had.“So I was confident after yesterday and confident coming into today, so it was nice to see I could get back to the top.GettyButton was the last McLaren driver on pole in Belgium back in 2012[/caption]GettyNorris trails team-mate Piastri by nine points in the Drivers’ Championship standings[/caption]“Three tenths is just slipstream and not being first out of the pit lane, so it was nothing to worry about. But people like to make a lot of things up, but I felt good.“The car has been flying all weekend, Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend, so we are pushing each other a lot.”Piastri had been ahead of Norris throughout practice and the first two rounds of qualifying.However, the latter seized pole ahead of the Australian, with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in third and fourth, respectively.Norris has claimed victory from two of his previous three pole positions this season in Australia and Monaco.He was leapfrogged by Piastri in Austria last month, though. Who leads the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship?The pair are currently locked in a fierce battle for the Drivers’ Championship.Piastri sits nine points clear of Norris at the halfway stage of the calendar.If either of them takes the title, they would be the first McLaren world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.The team has already built a lead of 246 points ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship standings.