Despite Boastful Claim on Friday Onslaught, Lando Norris Surrenders Against Max Verstappen’s Supremacy
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via Imago
Image Credits: Imago L: Max Verstappen R: Lando Norris
The F1 circuits are no strangers to playful banter and teasing jibes. Lando Norris, the McLaren champ, has cheekily admitted that he might’ve shown his cards a tad too early at the Mexican GP, hinting he “came out of the blocks too hot.” While Norris’s performance had fans at the edge of their seats during the Friday sessions, it was Max Verstappen who stole the show, parking himself comfortably at the top.
Norris, who was breathing down Verstappen’s neck by being just a tenth off in FP2, ignited hopes of a McLaren resurgence. After all, following the dustup between Hamilton and Mercedes in Austin last week, everyone’s curious to see who would take the baton and charge at Red Bull.
Lando Norris and TP Andrea Stella on their Mexican GP chances
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In his characteristic light-hearted style, Norris shared with Sky F1, “I think it was a good Friday. I did a very good lap, maybe too good for this early in the weekend.” While optimism was the flavor of the day, Norris also brought a dash of realism. On challenging the Red Bulls, he commented, “I think it’s going to be tough.”
“I did a good lap, maybe too good for this early in the weekend” 😅
Safe to say, Lando enjoyed himself during those Friday practice sessions 🟠 pic.twitter.com/pBIGU4zBL9
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 28, 2023
And it wasn’t just Norris playing it coy. McLaren‘s Team Principal, Andrea Stella, appreciating the smooth Friday practice, cautioned against getting too hyped. With Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas both snapping at Verstappen’s heels, Stella rightly said,
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“It’s been a productive first day in Mexico City,” he said. “We had no issues across either session, which meant we could work on set-up, tires, and cooling. Overall, our performance looks encouraging, however, it seems many teams have the potential to be competitive here.”
As the tracks heat up in Mexico City, McLaren has its work cut out. They’ve just recently zipped past Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship. They also chased down Ferrari’s P3 spot, who had an 80-point gap at one point. Now, that’s what you call a tall order! And in that order, is the age-old debate of ‘respect’ versus ‘aggression’ on the F1 tracks. Peter Windsor, the former Ferrari boss, has tossed in a new angle.
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Lando Norris: More Respectful with Verstappen Than ‘Aggressive’ Hamilton?
Lando Norris races Max Verstappen with “a lot of respect”, but when it comes to the legendary Lewis Hamilton, he isn’t hesitant to turn up the heat! Recalling Norris’s bold defense against Hamilton at the United States Grand Prix recently, Windsor mused over the young gun’s approach to racing. Although Hamilton did manage to zoom past Norris eventually, some fans and armchair experts felt Norris’s defense was a smidge on the late side. No penalties, no complaints, but it sure did spark a conversation!
So, why the different approach with Verstappen and Hamilton? Windsor believes that it’s partly because Verstappen’s Red Bull car often has an edge over the McLaren, giving him an “aura” on the track. But when it comes to Hamilton, Norris sees an equal, a fellow Brit, and perhaps thinks, “Why not give him a run for his money?”
Windsor elaborated in a recent YouTube live stream, “I guess with Lewis he’s thinking, you know, I’m one of the young British new superstars… I’m not afraid to race with this guy.” He also highlights Norris’s commendable racecraft, hinting that the youngster’s tactics might evolve with time and experience.
Watch This Story | How Lando Norris Had a Chance to Go to Red Bull But Instead Chose McLaren
So, is Lando playing it safe with Verstappen but going pedal to the metal against Hamilton? Time will tell how these dynamics pan out. But for now, gear up, folks. It seems we have a British rivalry brewing, and it’s as thrilling as a last-lap overtake!
Written by:
Edited by:
Akash Pandhare
