Lando Norris remains optimistic about delaying Max Verstappen‘s championship celebrations past the Las Vegas Grand Prix, maintaining his focus on racing his best, no matter the outcome for the title.
Norris’ Perspective on the Championship Battle
Despite Verstappen’s dominance, Norris is proud to be the only driver still in mathematical contention for the title. With three races left, Norris acknowledges the difficulty of the challenge:
- Current Standings: Verstappen will secure the championship if Norris fails to outscore him by three points in Las Vegas.
- Qualifying Results: Verstappen starts fifth on the grid, just ahead of Norris, who qualified in sixth.
“Whether Max wins or not tomorrow, for me, it doesn’t change anything,” Norris said. “I’m here to race and give my best in every single race. If Max finishes ahead, that’s life. But we have a chance to beat him tomorrow.”
Reflecting on the Season
Norris attributes his slim title chances to McLaren’s slower start to the season:
- Early Season Gap: “The title race was lost in the first six races when Max dominated and Red Bull was too far ahead,” he explained.
- Pride in Progress: “I’m proud we’ve brought it this far. It’s us fighting, not anyone else.”
McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship Focus
While Norris’ chances of clinching the drivers’ title are slim, McLaren remains firmly locked in a tight battle with Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ standings:
- Current Gap: McLaren leads Ferrari by 36 points.
- Ferrari Advantage: Both Carlos Sainz (P2) and Charles Leclerc (P4) qualified ahead of Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri (P8).
Race Strategy and Challenges
Norris highlighted McLaren’s struggles with tire degradation, especially on softer compounds, in cold conditions:
- “We struggle a lot with graining, even on a quali lap. I’m hoping the hard tires will work better for us tomorrow.”
- “It’s been a long-standing issue with our car, especially with the front tires, and it’s something we’ve not fully resolved yet.”
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaches, Norris remains determined to deliver his best performance, not only for personal pride but also to strengthen McLaren’s constructors’ championship bid.
