MONZA (AFP) – Lando Norris played down his chances of pipping Max Verstappen to the Formula One (F1) drivers’ title on Thursday even though the world champion’s unbeatable aura has faded heading into the Italian Grand Prix.
McLaren driver Norris trails Verstappen by 70 points with nine races remaining after finishing nearly 23 seconds ahead of the three-time F1 king in the Dutch GP last weekend.
But asked how much his confidence had been boosted by the crushing win in Zandvoort, a laid back Norris said: “not a lot”. “For me a win is incredible, and is genuinely one of best feelings you can have, because this is what I dreamed of, what I always wanted to achieve… But I do not think of the championship at all,” he said.
“The only thing I care about now is this weekend. I couldn’t care less about next weekend or the weekend after, it’s just want can I do today, what can I do tomorrow… That’s my process.”
Norris has finished on the podium nine times this season, winning twice. After a series of recent upgrades, the car McLaren have provided for him and teammate Oscar Piastri looks the best on the grid. McLaren have a legitimate shot at winning the constructors’ championship for the first time since 1998 as they sit just 30 points behind Red Bull.
“It gives the team a good amount of confidence and it’s always a little bit of a boost but it doesn’t change your feeling,” said Norris.
“We’re pushing hard every weekend, of course. Our goal is to catch them in both, especially on the constructors side which is much more doable than on the drivers’ side.”
Verstappen insisted that winning a fourth straight F1 drivers’ crown “is not going to change my life”, as he looks over his shoulder at Norris.
