Lando Norris sees rival Max Verstappen closing in on the world championship, but believes the Dutchman’s surge is coming too late. Although the Brit anticipates the title race will only be decided in Abu Dhabi, he dares to predict that the world champion will definitely be driving a papaya car. ‘Whether that’s me? I’m certainly working hard for it,’ says Norris.
With a difference of 25 World Championship points between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship, the title race between the McLaren drivers is far from over. Max Verstappen is also gradually re-entering the fray from third place, following his dominant victories in Italy and Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Dutchman started the GP Singapore weekend well with two third-place finishes during Friday’s free practice sessions.
Therefore, Norris is certainly looking over his shoulder in the battle for the world title, he tells De Limburger. “Max is, of course, still Max. He might well be the best driver ever, so you can never rule him out. Especially now that Red Bull is back on the same level as McLaren. They’ve clearly found something. Am I worried about that? No, because I can’t change it. I can only do my best. In Abu Dhabi, we’ll see if that’s enough.”
‘World Champion in Papaya’
The rise of the Red Bull driver comes after a rare period between the GP Monaco and Hungary where Verstappen could only secure one podium finish. Only in Canada did the Dutchman finish second, behind George Russell. Those days seem to be over since the introduction of a new floor for the RB21 in Italy.
“He has not for nothing achieved six pole positions this year,” Norris continues. “You can’t do that with a bad car. And he was also there in the first seven races. It’s going to be an exciting battle in the final races, so I expect the decision will only be made in Abu Dhabi.” Yet, the driver maintains confidence that the drivers’ world cup will go to Woking this year. “I am convinced that the winner will be driving a papaya car. Whether that will be me? I’m certainly working hard for it.”
