The battle for the top 3 in the constructor’s standings for the 2022 season in Formula 1 looks decided. The battle for the 4th place, however, is far from settled. Despite struggling throughout the season, McLaren has done well to keep their hopes for the 4th spot alive. Or have Alpine under-delivered? That is at least what Lando Norris thinks.

McLaren had a glorious outing at the Singapore GP. While every other driver struggled to keep their car on the track, the two drivers in MCL36 kept their nerve and saw the race through to extract results that exceeded expectations.

The McLaren 4-5 put them above their rivals Alpine in the constructor’s standings in a race where they registered no points owing to a double DNF. The joy for McLaren was short-lived though as they tumbled back into the 5th spot after the Japanese GP.

Lando Norris praises his team while taking a dig at Alpine

In a season where teammate Daniel Ricciardo is possibly having the worst slump of his career, Lando Norris has taken the responsibility of delivering the major chunk of points for his team.

McLaren wouldn’t have been anywhere near the 4th position had the Brit had a season similar to his teammate’s. Lando, however, does not know how they are still competing against Alpine, who are sporting a much better car.

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Reacting to slipping one place in the constructor’s championship after Suzuka’s result, Lando said, “I have no clue how we’re still fighting them in the championship. Like… they are another league to us at the minute. And yet we were somehow ahead – maybe not after today…” 

He continued, “They must’ve done a lot worse than us on all of those areas to only just be ahead of us in the championship with the car that they have.”

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Norris said that he was happy that his team has managed to stay in the fight with Alpine. He praised them for the car’s reliability and for not making too many mistakes.

Lando Norris is ready to take up the leadership role at McLaren

After Daniel Ricciardo’s struggle to perform at McLaren, the two decided to mutually part ways despite the contract being valid for one more year. McLaren signed rookie Oscar Piastri to fill Ricciardo’s boots.

In his interview before the Japanese GP with Ted Kravitz for Sky Sports, Lando Norris said that he was ready to take up the role of the leader among the two drivers next season.

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There are still 4 more races to go this season. The battle for the 4th spot is set to intensify. Many thought there was not much left to follow the rest of the season after the world drivers’ championship was decided in Japan. We beg to differ.