Lando Norris says ending forward of Max Verstappen on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix shall be “spectacular” for his hopes of catching the world championship chief.
After struggling an early exit in qualifying on Saturday, Norris began from fifteenth on the grid to complete fourth for McLaren in Baku, and regardless of beginning 9 locations behind the Dutchman, he overtook the Pink Bull Racing driver within the closing phases. Verstappen.
Because of this, Norris decreased Verstappen’s lead within the drivers’ championship to 59 factors with seven rounds remaining, with the primary race instantly following in Singapore.
“I simply want factors,” Norris advised Sky Sports activities F1. “After all, from the place we began and our (championship) hopes, to complete forward of Max is spectacular.
“Yesterday remains to be on my thoughts as a result of it was so irritating, what would have been if that hadn’t occurred. Regardless, it was a very good day.”
Not solely did Norris surprisingly cross Verstappen, however his teammate Oscar Piastri’s win additionally ensured McLaren took the lead within the constructors’ championship.
It is the primary time McLaren has led the championship since 2014, whereas Pink Bull hasn’t been knocked off the highest spot since June 2022.
Norris performed his half in Piastri securing victory, slowing down Pink Bull’s Sergio Perez to assist his team-mate preserve monitor place because the Mexican tried to chip away .
“This can be a nice outcome for our workforce and I am even happier to win an Oscar,” Norris stated. “For us, it is the primary time in a few years to be on high of the builders, so it is clearly superb to be part of that.
“That allowed Oscar to remain in entrance and probably get the win right now. I am glad I helped him and performed a small half in it. For us as a workforce, that is what we’re right here to do.
“It’s good to launch Half One and Half 4.”
Verstappen: Unhealthy weekend we did not drop many factors
After a dismal efficiency at Monza two weeks in the past, Pink Bull appeared to have some solutions in coaching in Baku on Friday, however Saturday’s set-up adjustments appeared to set them again.
Verstappen was overtaken by Perez in qualifying for the primary time in 34 races on Saturday and was once more the slower Pink Bull driver on Sunday after struggling to brake.
“It was a fairly powerful race,” Verstappen advised Sky Sports activities F1. “After qualifying, I felt that the final change was not the fitting one. We paid the value for it.
“It is so simple as that, as a result of when you take a look at Checo (Perez), his sport is a lot better. It appears to be like like he is extra comfy.
“From our perspective, we tried different issues and it did not work out. As a workforce, you win and also you lose.”
“After all I am not proud of the efficiency. Typically you make some last-minute adjustments earlier than qualifying and it really works, sadly not this time.”
Verstappen, who has now gone seven races and not using a win, stated after ending sixth at Monza that it was “unrealistic” for him and Pink Bull to keep up their respective championship leads if the workforce’s efficiency didn’t enhance.
Requested if his opinion on that had modified after the weekend in Baku, he replied: “Despite the fact that it was a fairly dangerous weekend for me, we did not drop too many factors.
“I feel it is a constructive and I additionally know we will do higher. We’ll strive to do this subsequent time.”
Components 1’s thrilling 2024 season continues dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 subsequent weekend with extra beautiful road monitor motion below the lights of the Singapore Grand Prix. Watch each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month-to-month Membership – no contract, cancel anytime