Lando Norris says nothing Max Verstappen does is a shock anymore, after being overwhelmed by the Crimson Bull driver within the Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen pulled out a surprising qualifying lap on Saturday to take a shock pole place forward of the 2 McLaren drivers, edging out Norris by simply 0.012s. That proved essential, with monitor place central to Verstappen’s victory on Sunday, and Norris says he has at all times recognized and acknowledged what his championship rival is able to.
“I really feel like I get quite a lot of questions like, ‘Are you stunned by Max?’ when he does a day like [qualifying] or a race like [Sunday],” Norris mentioned. “And I suppose folks at all times count on me to say sure, however I don’t assume there’s a motive to be. I don’t assume I ever have.
“I’ve at all times had quite a lot of respect for Max. However there are these moments that once you’re within the automotive and once you’re driving, you understand what is nice and what’s not. And I believe I don’t want anybody to inform me what Max is able to doing or whether or not I ought to assume this or that. In fact, I’ve at all times acquired my very own opinions, however I’m at all times going to have the respect.
“I understand how good he’s been since we shook arms again in 2015 or one thing, 2014, and I used to be half the peak I’m now! So I don’t want folks to inform me these items. And other people appear shocked after I say I’m not stunned and stuff like that, however I understand how good he’s. I do know what he’s able to doing.
“So I might say nothing is a shock anymore. However I nonetheless imagine that we’re going to have some good races and we will go toe-to-toe and that some days he’ll come out on prime and others I’ll.”
Regardless of the trio taking a victory apiece to date this yr, Norris believes it isn’t simply Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri who can be combating for wins this season, however for now he sees them because the probably rivals for the drivers’ title given their consistency.
“I nonetheless assume at instances we’re going to see some extra competitors from the fellows behind. Charles was not that a lot slower [in Suzuka]. There was a much bigger hole, however I believe his second stint on the hards was simply as fast as mine. I didn’t assume we dropped him in any respect. So different automobiles are fast.
“I believe we pushed loads to start with, and it was a race the place you simply flat out from the off. It was a fast race. However I believe we’re the three who’re essentially the most constant on the minute and placing within the instances in quali and placing the nice races in.
“However George has been fast this weekend. I don’t know, possibly once more, they struggled a bit extra in Q3 for no matter motive after which subsequently within the race. However I’m certain like if you happen to put a George beginning on pole, I believe he most likely nonetheless would have gained the race.
“So I believe anytime somebody does that little bit of a greater job on Saturday for qualifying, they’ll have these alternatives come their approach. However on the minute, I believe McLaren, Crimson Bull, and possibly between us three, we’re doing a greater job than the remainder.”
