Lando Norris analyzes his title chances for the rest of the Formula 1 season. With the recent win in Hungary and pole position for the Dutch GP secured, many fans of the British driver hope for a comeback in the championship like Max Verstappen a year ago. According to Norris, however, McLaren is still catching up to championship leader Mercedes: “But maybe if they get a double disqualification in Las Vegas,” he jokes.
Read more Back in time: Formula 1 in Zandvoort, the first lap
Lando Norris was faster than his rivals in Zandvoort during qualifying and thus took the very last pole position for the Dutch GP. This success follows his earlier win just before the summer break in Hungary. The Brit is currently ninety championship points behind leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, less than the 104-point deficit Max Verstappen had last year after the Dutch GP to then championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Can the McLaren driver still defend his title this season? “There’s no point in thinking about that,” Norris said about his title chances in the press conference after qualifying. “We just have to focus on tomorrow. Honestly, I don’t care what I do next weekend or the weekend after. It’s nice to know that we can compete at the front again.”
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Double disqualification
According to Norris, it mainly depends on Mercedes – the team currently leading both championships – whether he still has a chance at the title. “Of course, I hope both Mercedes cars in Vegas get a double disqualification just like us and decide not to pit in Qatar for a free pit stop,” he jokes. “So as long as they make the same mistakes, it will probably be just as easy.”
The reigning world champion continues in a more serious tone: “But yeah, every year is different. I mean, I think we are still catching up in certain areas. However, I’m currently getting everything out of the car, and that’s all I can be satisfied with. So I’m happy. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m optimistic. I still believe it’s possible, and that’s all I need for now.”
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Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
