Norris excited for tasty Verstappen battle amid Las Vegas uncertainties
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Updated:
4 Comments
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Lando Norris looks forward to a tasty battle with Max Verstappen into Turn 1 of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
"I’m here to win. I’m not here to not take risks."- Lando Norris
The current championship leader claimed pole position for the third weekend in a row last night. Finishing second, Verstappen will line up alongside the Briton on Saturday evening local time. Currently, 49 points separate the two drivers in the standings.
| Standings | Drivers | Points |
| P1 | Lando Norris | 390 |
| P2 | Oscar Piastri | 366 |
| P3 | Max Verstappen | 341 |
Looking ahead to Turn 1, the Briton said: "I look forward to it. I'm excited for it. He’s been quick and if you expect anything less, then you don’t know what he’s capable of.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I expect a battle. I expect a battle through the whole race. But at the same time, I’m here to win. I’m not here to not take risks. I still want to go out and win tomorrow.
"So I’ll be making sure I can do everything that I can. But it’s still one step at a time—get a good start, good opening lap, that kind of thing—and just go from there."
Norris claimed pole position for the third F1 weekend in a row - Photo: Race Pictures
Lots of unknowns ahead of the Las Vegas GP
After the FP2 long runs were disrupted by a red flag from a loose manhole cover, and with wet conditions on Saturday, there are many questions unanswered ahead of the race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Norris said: "I don't think I've done more than four laps in a row. So I've got no idea on stints and things like that.
"Many questions, probably for everyone. I'm sure not many people have run the hard tyre, that kind of thing.
"I don't really know. The pace has been strong—has been better than it was last year, that's for sure. I expect to be fighting up there, but with Max, with Carlos—, they could both be pushing as good opportunities for them.
"So yeah, it's going to be a long race. Many things can happen. Obviously, if it's dry, a bit more simple for everyone, I think. But I'm in the best position I can be, so happy for now."
Read also
ADVERTISEMENT
GPblog's F1 Paddock Update
Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
Don't forget to follow F1 Paddock Update on Spotify as well!
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
