Lando Norris says chasing down world championship chief Max Verstappen is “definitely possible” if McLaren preserve the shape that enabled him to dominate the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Brit produced a shocking show of tempo to beat Verstappen by greater than 20 seconds at The Marina Bay Circuit, lowering the Dutchman’s lead on the high of the Drivers’ Championship to 52 factors.
The season has paused for a close to month-long break earlier than the ultimate six rounds, together with three Dash weekends, start from October 18-20 with america Grand Prix.
“This is what I’ve got to do, this is what I need, this is what we need to do as a team,” Norris instructed Sky Sports activities F1.
“We have executed issues completely as a workforce, particularly to get Oscar into P3.
“However we have to do it at each race till the tip of the yr if I need to have an opportunity to get Max.
“We’re working hard and if I keep doing what I’ve done this weekend, then it’s definitely possible.”
Norris hopeful title battle will go right down to the wire
Norris wants to scale back Verstappen’s lead by a median of 8.66 factors per weekend to catch the Dutchman, with a most of 180 factors nonetheless obtainable within the six grands prix (together with an additional level for the quickest lap) and three Dash races that stay.
The ultimate spherical of the season, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from December 6-8, isn’t a Dash weekend, which implies Norris will should be inside 26 factors of Verstappen to take care of an opportunity of pulling off the comeback.
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Norris efficiently held off title rival Verstappen to retain the lead on the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix
Requested whether or not he expects the battle to go right down to the wire, Norris mentioned: “I hope so. I still have a lot of points I’ve got to catch up and it’s not going to be easy to do it.
“It is towards Crimson Bull and it is towards Max, probably the most dominant pairing you’ve got ever seen in System 1, from final yr.
“And that is not essentially modified when it comes to… It is the identical workforce and it is the identical driver. So, I’ve a few of the hardest competitors that System 1 has ever seen within the sport.
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Norris narrowly prevented crashing into the wall twice whereas main the Singapore Grand Prix
“We are doing a better job as a team right now because my car and our car is quicker than theirs. But that’s just credit to the team doing an amazing job and being smarter and doing cooler things and creating mini-DRS flaps and stuff.
“I am working my coronary heart out, I am working my butt off, to attempt to be sure that occurs. He is attempting to ensure it does not occur. So we’ll have to attend and discover out.”
Stella: Title still in Max’s hands
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella insisted that the title remains in “Max’s palms”, but said the team could be “inspired and much more optimistic” over Norris’ prospects after Singapore.
The Woking squad’s robust lead to Singapore, which noticed Oscar Piastri safe a double-podium for the workforce, prolonged McLaren’s benefit over Crimson Bull on the high of the constructors’ standings to 41 factors.
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Verstappen was happy with the injury limitation carried out to his title hopes after ending second behind Norris in Singapore
“It’s definitely not in our hands because it’s still in Max’s hands,” Stella mentioned.
“Likewise, the Constructors’ Championship, that’s more in our hands, in fairness.
“I believe we go away doubtlessly inspired and much more optimistic that the Drivers’ Championship is feasible due to the efficiency of the automobile.”
By way of the rest of the season, Stella mentioned that if the MCL38 continues to be the quickest automobile on monitor, the workforce’s most important focus could be on guaranteeing that each Norris and Piastri end races forward of Verstappen.
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The funniest moments from the Singapore Grand Prix, together with a Lizard inflicting chaos on the monitor and Ted Kravitz in a pair of speedos!
“You just have to go to the next race and maximise the Sprint, and maximise the main race, making sure that both drivers finish ahead of Max,” Stella mentioned.
“And then if we are in condition to bring some upgrades, then this mission will become even easier.
“We have to recognise that if we maximise the potential of the automobile now, ending with two vehicles forward of Max, it is attainable. And that is what makes us optimistic.”
Just six races remain in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
