Norris poised for challenge as Verstappen remains a threat
Lando Norris believes Max Verstappen will be a threat heading into the final three races of the year, reports BritPanorama.
Norris strengthened his position at the top of the standings with a 24-point lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, following a dominant victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver’s impressive performance marks a significant step towards potentially dethroning the Dutchman from his world championship status. Despite starting from the pit lane, Verstappen managed to secure a commendable third place, limiting the points deficit to Norris to just 10.
Currently, Verstappen trails Norris by 49 points, with a maximum of 83 points still available over the remaining three rounds. After the race, Norris commented, “I’m sure Max is going to be a threat in terms of races, and you never know with the championship. So, it’s pointless trying to guess and come up with these things.”
He acknowledged Verstappen’s speed, stating, “With how quick he was, he would have won if he started higher up. But that’s racing. Not everyone puts it together, and it’s easy to make mistakes in the world that we live in.”
Verstappen, aiming for his fifth consecutive title, had appeared out of contention after falling 104 points behind following the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August. However, he clawed back into the race with several strong performances in a car that has generally been outclassed by Norris’s McLaren.
Nonetheless, Verstappen’s chances faced a blow when he suffered a shocking Q1 exit during qualifying in Sao Paulo, where he proceeded to dismiss his title hopes. Nevertheless, his podium finish underscores his tenacity in the championship.
Following the race, Verstappen remarked, “We didn’t lose the championship here. We lost the championship from the first race of the season until Zandvoort. We had a lot of weekends where we simply were not quick enough.” He emphasized that despite recent gains, they had not accumulated sufficient points to remain competitive.
Norris, now looking to further extend his advantage, will race on the Las Vegas Strip on November 22, followed by the penultimate round in Qatar on November 30 and the season finale in Abu Dhabi a week later.
As the championship takes shape, the dynamic between Norris and Verstappen serves as a reminder of how fiercely competitive the sport remains — a narrative steeped in unpredictability that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
