Norris cites McLaren advantage: 'Not every team has that at the moment'

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Norris on constructors' championship battle with Aston Martin
26 September at 18:07
Last update 26 September at 23:37
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  • GPblog.com

While Red Bull seized first place in the constructors' championship at Suzuka, things remain exciting behind them. The gap between Mercedes and Ferrari, numbers two and three, is only 20 points. The battle between McLaren and Aston Martin is also still open. Aston Martin is defending a 49-point lead, but McLaren is fast approaching. Lando Norris is confident the Woking-based team will clinch fourth place.

Strong start for Aston Martin, impressive comeback for McLaren

Aston Martin had an excellent start to the season. Fernando Alonso's strong results in particular made it look like the team could compete with Mercedes. Halfway through the season, Lawrence Stroll's team slumped a bit, while McLaren has been in full competition for the prizes since the Austrian Grand Prix. With six races to go, the gap between Aston Martin and McLaren is only 49 points.

Lando Norris was asked whether McLaren indeed still manages to close this gap. After the young Briton marvelled at the small gap in points, he replied,"I didn't think it was that close but yeah, if it's 49, then I definitely think so." Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri finished on the podium at Suzuka, taking a big bite out of Aston Martin's lead.

Norris names big advantage in constructors' battle

"There's not many races left," Norris continued. "I'm sure there's going to be a couple where Aston are going to be a bit stronger but, I think our advantage at the minute, comparing to almost every team, bar a couple, is we have two drivers who are up there fighting for those positions and fighting for those points and not every team has that at the minute". Finally, the McLaren driver stressed that it is going to be important that he and Piastri help each other and take advantage of the other when necessary.