Norris Wins in Brazil, But Verstappen's Pace Sparks Concern
Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the São Paulo Grand Prix and extended his F1 championship lead, yet expressed concern over Max Verstappen's recovery drive and superior pace. Despite the win, Norris highlighted that McLaren was "just not fast enough" compared to Red Bull, indicating a critical focus shift towards understanding and improving their car's speed ahead of the final races of the season.
Despite a dominant victory and maintaining his championship lead, Lando Norris is surprisingly concerned about McLaren's true pace after Max Verstappen's impressive charge through the field in São Paulo. The McLaren star openly discussed his worries, highlighting the significant challenge Verstappen's performance poses for the team.
Why it matters:
McLaren's recent surge has put Norris at the top of the Drivers' Championship, but Verstappen's ability to recover from a pit lane start and still show superior speed casts a shadow over their current dominance. For McLaren to genuinely contend for the title, they must address this underlying pace deficit, especially as the season heads into its final critical stages.
The Details:
- Norris won the São Paulo Grand Prix, extending his championship lead to 24 points over teammate Oscar Piastri and 49 points over Max Verstappen.
- Verstappen started from the pit lane after an early qualifying exit and an engine change, yet remarkably fought his way onto the podium.
- Norris acknowledged that Verstappen's pace was "pretty disappointing" for McLaren, stating, "We just weren't fast enough."
- Team Focus: Norris emphasized his immediate goal is to work with the team to understand why they lacked overall pace compared to Red Bull.
- Championship Mindset: Despite his lead, Norris dismissed title thoughts, advocating for a cool-headed approach: "I just have to keep a cool head, ignore everything around me, and keep pushing."
- Dedication: Norris dedicated his victory to "Gil," a mentor, reflecting on his influence during the race.
- Personal Approach: When asked about finding his rhythm, Norris quipped, "Just ignore everyone who talks rubbish about you. I just focus on myself. McLaren gives me a great car, we work hard every weekend, and that pays off."
What's next:
The F1 season continues in two weeks with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. McLaren will need to analyze their performance in Brazil thoroughly to ensure they can match or exceed Red Bull's pace on different track layouts. The underlying speed shown by Verstappen, even in adverse circumstances, will be a key concern for Norris and the McLaren team as they aim to solidify their championship aspirations.