Lando Norris says the reemergence of Max Verstappen as a severe contender within the drivers’ championship combat at the USA Grand Prix doesn’t change the dynamic for his personal hopes.
Verstappen has gained 3 times and completed second as soon as prior to now 4 races, lowering a 104 level hole to Oscar Piastri to simply 40 factors in that spell. What was an 88-point deficit to Norris is now simply 26 factors, however Norris – who himself closed to inside 14 factors of Piastri by ending second at COTA – says he retains the identical strategy to the combat.
“Does not actually matter,” Norris stated. “I at the moment rating probably the most factors I can each weekend, so the extra factors I rating, the higher it’s for each conditions. It would not matter. Nothing adjustments. I haven’t got to do something totally different for both. It is fairly easy – simply try to beat each drivers and life’s simple then.
“I do not assume [the pecking order] will change that a lot. It is shut between us, the Purple Bull. One weekend they’re a little bit bit faster, the subsequent we’re a little bit bit quicker. Mercedes was quickest in Singapore, so you possibly can have many alternative issues right here.”
Norris confirmed comparable tempo to Verstappen all through a lot of the race at Circuit of The Americas, however was caught behind Charles Leclerc having misplaced out to the Ferrari at first.
“[Leclerc] beginning on the comfortable, beginning on the precise aspect of the grid, the benefit into Flip 1 on the surface…” he lamented. “After yesterday, I used to be a little bit bit cautious. I did not need to go too vast in Flip 1 as a result of I did not need to find yourself within the gravel once more, so I sort of needed to simply keep on the within and keep on with the safer route. Charles did a great job and I acquired previous.
“Who is aware of after that? I believe I discovered it troublesome sufficient simply to get near Charles and their tempo wasn’t dangerous in any respect. You recognize, till 10 laps to go, he was like six seconds off of Max, so it wasn’t like we have been that distant or their tempo was that dangerous.
“I believe it was a great race. The tempo was fairly shut. I believe that is why it was so troublesome, as a result of we have been faster, for certain, however not by quite a bit. It was a bit difficult within the lap after lap battles, attempting to place him below stress, attempting to make some errors right here and there.
“He didn’t make many, for certain. I believe, particularly the ultimate stint, I managed to get the tires into a great window, drop again a number of seconds, re-attack, and I managed to sort of catch him a bit extra off-guard with a few laps.
“A very good end result in the long run. For a minute, I used to be not anticipating to complete second. I assumed he was only a bit too fast for us, however to get again into second and get previous was good.”
