Norris cool on F1 title hopes ahead of Italian GP

AFP | Monza

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Lando Norris played down his chances of pipping Max Verstappen to the Formula One drivers’ title yesterday 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, what can I do Saturday... 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 Verstappen’s team Red Bull.