Lando Norris remains cautious despite his growing lead in the Formula 1 World Championship, acknowledging that Max Verstappen is poised to challenge him fiercely until the very end of the season.
After clinching a commanding victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Norris extended his lead over his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to 24 points. Meanwhile, Verstappen put on a remarkable recovery drive from the pit lane to secure third place in Interlagos, limiting his championship deficit to Norris to just 49 points, with 83 points still up for grabs in the final three races.
Norris shared his respect for Verstappen’s resilience, saying, “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. 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. Max will be a threat because he always is. He’s always there, he’s always fighting, and I’m sure he’ll fight to the end. I look forward to it.”
READ MORE: Sinkhole Reveals Ancient Crypt in Martock Churchyard
READ MORE: Meet Pam, One of the World’s Smallest Ponies, Standing Just 24 Inches Tall
Verstappen, who appeared out of contention after falling 104 points behind following the Dutch Grand Prix in late August, has mounted a significant comeback with several strong performances, despite driving a car that has often lagged behind the pace of Norris' McLaren.
His shock exit in Q1 qualifying at Sao Paulo appeared to seal his fate, but his determined race to third place showcased his fighting spirit. However, Verstappen remains pragmatic about his chances, stating, “We didn’t lose the championship here. We lost the championship from the first race of the season until Zandvoort (on August 31). We had a lot of weekends where we simply were not quick enough. Then, of course, there is a big gap to the front. We had good moments where you get some points back, but not enough, and that’s how the season goes.”
As the championship heads to its final stages with races in Las Vegas on November 22, Qatar on November 30, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi a week later, Norris aims to maintain his strong form and fend off Verstappen’s relentless challenge.