Norris: “I WOULD PREFER TO BE IN VERSTAPPEN’S POSITION IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT”

McLaren driver Lando Norris has admitted that he would prefer to be in Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s position as he chases him in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Max Verstappen has been unable to win a race for six Grands Prix due to issues with his Red Bull car and the rise of his rivals.

Norris, one of the Dutch driver’s challengers, has steadily reduced Verstappen’s lead in the F1 Drivers’ standings to just 62 points. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza further highlighted Red Bull’s struggles, while Verstappen acknowledged that both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships are now under threat from Norris and McLaren.

Speaking to the media, Norris said, “Max can say what he wants.”
“He still has about a 60-point lead. It’s not easy to close that gap in eight races.”
“Even if I win every race, the task becomes very difficult for me. He is still in a better position, and I would prefer to be in his place.”
“Red Bull is a team that I expect to understand what’s gone wrong and what they’re struggling with, and to fix the problems within a few races and come back strong,” he added.

After finishing sixth at Monza, Verstappen complained that Red Bull had turned the RB20 into a “beast,” but Norris believes the Dutchman is panicking too quickly.
“Max may feel like that after a bad race.”
“They are not losing a lot of pace in every race.”
“Italy was probably their worst race, but Max has narrowly missed out on pole positions and victories regularly. I think he’s saying this to feel a bit better.”
Indeed, despite Red Bull’s balance issues, Verstappen finished second behind Norris at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort.

Heading into Baku on Friday, Verstappen topped the first practice session, while his Red Bull teammate was second in the second session. Meanwhile, after Friday’s sessions, Norris said McLaren has a “fairly long way” to go.
“To be honest, compared to Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, we have a lot to find,” he said.

McLaren needs to turn its fortunes around on qualifying day in Baku. As Norris said, Verstappen remains in the best position in the championship fight, and for the Red Bull star to lose the Drivers’ Championship, McLaren must have consistently perfect weekends.