McLaren’s Lando Norris is holding onto the hope that there will be a “time and a place” in the 2023 Formula One season when Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing can be defeated.
During qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris and McLaren aimed for a strong performance to challenge for pole position at the Zandvoort circuit. However, Verstappen secured first place on the grid, leaving Norris in second, about six tenths of a second behind.
Red Bull is eyeing the opportunity to make F1 history by becoming the first team to win every race in a single season in 2023. Despite this, Norris remains optimistic that there will be an opportunity for a different winner in at least one of the final 10 races of the season.
When asked if Verstappen is currently unbeatable, Norris responded, “I’ll say no, just because there’s been times when we’ve been very close. There’s been plenty of times it’s been super, super close, whether [that’s because] Max has made a mistake and therefore it’s [been] close or not.”
He acknowledged the differences between qualifying and the race, highlighting that in the race, a challenge would be more difficult unless Verstappen encountered some misfortune. Norris commended Verstappen’s performance, describing him as a very skilled driver in a competitive car.
Despite the challenges, Norris expressed that he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Verstappen being beaten, particularly in a situation where he makes a mistake. However, he acknowledged that it didn’t happen today.
Reflecting on his performance in qualifying, Norris admitted that being behind Verstappen is no longer surprising, given the Dutch driver’s consistently strong performances.
Looking ahead to the race, Norris admitted that challenging Verstappen would be tough, but he hoped to be more competitive this time. He recognized McLaren’s improvements in car performance since Friday’s practice sessions, which could aid him in staying closer to the lead Red Bull during the race.
Norris concluded by acknowledging the tough competition Verstappen presents on race day due to his exceptional race pace and tire degradation management. While Norris remains hopeful for opportunities, he recognized the challenge of competing against Verstappen’s superior performance in the race.
