Lando Norris has once again responded to Max Verstappen’s thoughts, who said he would have been champion if he had been a McLaren F1 driver. The Briton does not underestimate the level of his rival, but he is annoyed by such strong comments based on assumptions.
“He should start doing humor or something.” Norris retorted. “He can say whatever he wants. Of course, I don’t agree at all. He’s good, but that’s not true. So, maybe it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say something something like that.”
On the other hand, he confirms that the work done by Verstappen was enough for Red Bull to win the teams’ title: “Red Bull probably would have won the constructors’ championship if they had two drivers as good as Max, that’s for sure.”
“It’s clear. It’s obvious. It shows that as a team they probably did the best job. It’s tough. Max has proven that he’s beaten everyone he’s faced. It’s difficult for any teammate. It has nothing to do with me. He can have the teammate he wants.
Norris, however, believes that McLaren started the season in a difficult position that Red Bull has never been in all season: “We were the fourth best team at the start of the year. Red Bull was never the fourth best team, or the worst, let’s say, ever.”
Norris is reassured with a possible constructors’ title, which has an important meaning for him after going through difficulties with his team: “I’ve been with McLaren for eight years now, six years in Formula 1.”
“There have been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of good times, a lot of tough times. I think for me the constructors’ championship title has more value.”
“Some people came to Formula 1 and won in their first year – it’s not such a great story. For me, there’s a lot more happened, a lot more chapters in my story and I think that It makes it a little more special.”
Oscar Piastri would like to succeed in winning the constructors’ title with McLaren, because he has discovered the teamwork necessary to reach this level: “During my two seasons in F1 I learned how much it is a team game compared to all the promotion schemes and how much more it means.”
“Not just financially, but in terms of effort, how many people work countless hours, how many people spend weeks and weeks away from their families just so Lando and I can take a quick spin on a track.”
The Australian is under pressure which pushes him to have two very good weekends to conclude the season and go for the team title: “It’s a lot, so yes, of course there is pressure. I think it’s a healthy pressure, but I’m sure we can do it.”
“It would be a just reward for, when you look at the last two seasons, an incredible turnaround and it would be the end of a great story and, I hope, the start of a long success for McLaren.
On a personal level, Piastri is pleased to have made progress in his racing management: “Since my first season, I think one of the most important things has been trying to manage the tires and race pace in general. I think for the most part it’s been a very positive.”
“There’s still progress to be made, but I feel like I’ve taken a big step forward. I think this year’s qualifying was slightly disappointing and I made my life more difficult than before. I wouldn’t have wanted it in many races.”
