Can Norris catch Verstappen in the drivers’ standings? The Dutchman’s 2021 rival Lewis Hamilton has given his opinion on the matter ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
Lando Norris recorded his second win of the current season at the Dutch Grand Prix in a race where the McLaren car was a level above the rest of the grid and even Red Bull’s RB20.
The difference between the Briton and the Dutchman was over 22 seconds, and such a thing has not been achieved since 2021, and especially when it happened in the part of the championship when it is already turning towards the next season.
Defending champion Verstappen’s lead over Lando Norris currently stands at 70 points with nine race weekends remaining, including the points-awarding 100km mini-race.
The seven-time world champion believes that despite the Dutch driver having the advantage, there is still an opportunity for the McLaren driver to reach his first career title.
“There are a lot of points on the line, so it’s not impossible. Ultimately, Max probably has to finish second in every race to win at this stage, and Lando would have to win every race, and that still wouldn’t be enough, so then it’s going to take a bit of luck.”
“A lot of things can happen in nine races and Ferrari, we, also have a role to play. Sometimes we help Lando, sometimes Max, it will depend on how the races go.”
In any case, Hamilton sees McLaren winning the constructors’ championship.
“What’s really exciting is that I think there’s a real chance McLaren can win the constructors’ title. It’s really really exciting, because obviously I was there [at McLaren] when we won the last Constructors’ Championship. Obviously it was taken away from us, but we won it in terms of performance that year, and there hasn’t been another one since.”
On the other hand, the Brit would like a close fight until the end of the season because it would be very good for the sport.
“So that could be really great, not just for them but for the sport. I hope it goes all the way because it would be great for the fans. But with the performance they showed last weekend, it’s likely they could,” added Lewis Hamilton.
