Norris and Piastri: McLaren Duel for F1 Lead
Lando Norris could regain the lead of the Formula 1 championship this weekend in Spain, surpassing his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. However, the British driver insists that the fight for the title goes beyond internal competition within the team.
The difference between both drivers is minimal, only three points, after eight of the 24 scheduled races. McLaren, the champion team, has set the pace and has achieved six victories this year, with Piastri adding four and Norris two.
Norris first led after winning the inaugural race in Melbourne, but Piastri took the lead in the fifth round in Saudi Arabia. Norris closed the gap by winning in Monaco last Sunday.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull, four-time world champion, has achieved two victories and is in third position, 25 points behind Piastri.It’s a great feeling to be at the front of the championship and have more points than the others, but it’s not something I focus on.
Lando Norris
“I think mathematically, probably the whole grid can win the championship. I think there are many opportunities,” he continued.
“Max can still win, I think Ferrari, I hope they improve during the season.”Spain is a favorite track for Verstappen, where he won for the first time in 2016, and Piastri hopes the Dutch driver performs well on Sunday.
I don’t think he can be ruled out.
Oscar Piastri
“The difference isn’t very big at the moment and they’ve really been competitive in a good number of circuits. Of course, there have been weekends where we’ve been stronger, but I think they’ve been developing their car, they’ve been finding more performance. So I think at the moment Max is still in the title fight.”
Verstappen has won the last three Spanish Grand Prix, and four in total, and has been on the podium seven consecutive times at the circuit, but he wasn’t very optimistic on Thursday.
“I’m just trying to give my best, have a bit of fun out there. With some races we’re really off the pace, which isn’t enjoyable. But the fighting spirit is still there. That also never disappears.”To be honest, I don’t feel like it’s a fight.
Max Verstappen
Formula 1 will also implement a change in the front wing regulations this weekend, with the FIA carrying out stricter rigidity tests.
McLaren claims it does not expect to be affected, but other teams are adopting a wait-and-see approach, with Ferrari even mentioning a possible game changer.
There are adjustments here and there, but nothing that changes the way we have to do it.
Lando Norris
