Norris shuts out social media as F1 battle heats up

IMOLA, Italy - Lando Norris has turned away from the distraction of social media as the Formula One title battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri heats up.

Ive not been on social media for a few weeks now, he told British media at Imola ahead of the seventh race of the 24-round season.

Its just not something I enjoy. I dont need to. Its my life. I can do what I like, he added when asked whether it was a consequence of the circumstances.

The Briton won the season-opening race in Melbourne and stayed ahead until Piastri took over at the top in Jeddah last month.

The Australian extended his lead to 16 points in Miami on May 4 with his fourth win in six races and at Italys old-style Imola circuit on Sunday could chalk up his fourth successive victory.

Norris, one of Formula Ones most popular drivers, has a 9.9 million-strong following on Instagram and is known for being outspoken about mental issues and for making self-critical comments.

Reminded of how 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen -- a man famously unenamoured of social media -- used to say that in an ideal world he would throw his phone into a lake, Norris replied: Im probably the same.

I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to.

I still use my phone and Im still texting my friends and all these things. I just see social media more, from my perspective, as a waste of my time and energy and I just dont need it, he said.

I dont want it. I dont find it interesting.

I just feel like Ive got more time to do things that I want to do. I just want to spend time with my friends. I go and play