Following the Bahrain Grand Prix, the power dynamics within Formula 1 seem to have become clear. McLaren is the team to beat, while Red Bull has a lot of improvements to make before Max Verstappen can compete for the win again. At least, that’s what the experts would have us believe. According to Lando Norris, Red Bull’s deficit is not that large. The championship leader accused the Austrians of sandbagging during the Chinese Grand Prix.
During the second round in Shanghai, Lando Norris was interviewed by the British Autosport Magazine – when asked, he responded that he rates Max Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21 much higher than the four-time world champion does himself. Norris referred back to the opening race in Australia, where he crossed the finish line first, but Verstappen followed less than one second behind.
Never Underestimate Them
“We had a very good weekend in Melbourne, but Max Verstappen was still hot on my heels,” said the 25-year-old Brit. “And that’s not just because he’s an incredible driver in those conditions,” he referred to the rain showers that plagued the Albert Park Circuit. “The Red Bull car is still very good. You need both. And Red Bull simply has a pretty good car and a very, very good driver,” Norris summarized. “Otherwise, they could never compete with us. We should never underestimate them.”
Looking at his own McLaren MCL39, Norris did not mince his words: “I 100 percent admit that I have the best car on the grid,” he continued. “I’m very happy to be able to say that, as it’s been a while. That’s why I’m also proud of the fact that we achieved this as a team. But, as it’s always been said: ‘The driver makes the difference.’ I couldn’t win without the best car, but when everything is within one percent of each other, the driver can make the difference. That’s why Verstappen could have just as well won in Australia. Not because the car is crap and he’s so great – the car is damn good,” the Brit concluded emphatically.
