Lando Norris and McLaren raise their heads
The two consecutive victories collected before and after the summer break have lifted the morale of McLaren fans and especially of a Lando Norris who is increasingly becoming aware of the high level of his driving, also emphasizing it out loud. Not by chance, after the victory at Zandvoort, seasoned by a decidedly spectacular overtake against Andrea Kimi Antonelli, on the outside in turn 1 taking advantage of the presence of Lewis Hamilton‘s Ferrari, the reigning world champion said he is “doing a better job than all the other” drivers. It is therefore inevitable that, faced with such a McLaren and such a fit Norris, attention shifts to the future and the 26-year-old’s chances of recovering the 83-point gap from the top of the standings.
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For the moment the Englishman dodges, repeating the usual phrases about thinking race by race without thinking about the title fight. But then someone points out to him that Max Verstappen‘s gap from the championship leader – at the time Oscar Piastri – at Zandvoort 2025 was even greater, before going on to fight for the World Championship in the last race finishing second at -2 from Norris himself: and it is there that Lando, in fact, admits that just a few mistakes by those in the uncomfortable role of the fugitive are enough to suddenly reopen the games.
Words of the reigning world champion
“Obviously – explains the reigning world champion, quoted by RacingNews365 – last year we found ourselves on the less fortunate side, but it makes no sense to think about it now. Honestly, I don’t care what I will do next weekend or the one after, but it’s nice to know that there is a chance, and obviously I hope both Mercedes suffer a double disqualification in Las Vegas as happened to us, or decide not to pit in Qatar for a free pit-stop when there is the opportunity.” The reference is to the Safety Car stop made by all McLaren rivals, Max Verstappen leading, at Lusail on the seventh lap, moreover in a race where three stops were mandatory: an obvious and heavily criticized tactical error, which cost the one-two finish making Piastri slip to second place and Norris to fourth.
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“So – continues the Englishman – as long as others make the same mistakes we made, then it will probably be easier. But every season is different. As far as we are concerned, we are still trying to make up ground on some things, but for now I am giving my best and that is the only thing I can be satisfied with.” “I am happy, there is still a long way to go and I am optimistic. I still believe it is possible, and that is all I need for now,” concludes Lando Norris.
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