(Motorsports news) McLaren started the season slowly, but with a change of philosophy and personnel, it has developed an outstanding B-spec that has transformed the MCL60 into a podium contender. In Japan and Qatar, Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri were the closest competitors to Red Bull’s dominant Max Verstappen, capturing a double podium for the Woking team while Piastri also won a sprint race in Losail.

This has brought McLaren within 11 points of fourth-placed Aston Martin in the standings, while Ferrari’s third-place finish appears to be under threat, with the Scuderia now leading by 79 points. When asked if Ferrari can still be caught over the next five weekends, which include two more sprints, Norris answered, “I think it’s doable.” Aston had 70-something points a couple of races ago.

“I think we’re just doing a good job, not just in terms of pace, but the guys did a 1.8 second pit stop, which is pretty impressive.” They’ve been working really hard, so continuously rewarding the entire crew is only more encouraging and a bigger boost every weekend”, Norris commented. However, Norris noted that not every future circuit will suit the McLaren as well as the high-downforce swoops of Suzuka and, in particular, Losail.

As a result, it may be unable to maintain large hauls such as the 33 points in Japan and 47 units in Qatar, which featured a sprint. “We know that Mercedes are very quick, probably almost as quick as us in Qatar, just they keep making mistakes,” he went on to say. “So, I’m sure if they have a clean weekend, they’ll make our lives a little more difficult, so I’m not as confident in saying it”, Norris added.

“Only three weekends ago, Ferrari was on pole and winning races, and nothing has really changed; it’s just a different track.” We’re looking better, while they’re looking worse. “I don’t believe we’re overconfident. We’re confident, as I believe we should be, but we know there will be some races where we won’t be as powerful.”

Piastri, who won his first F1 podium and sprint race at Suzuka during an excellent rookie season, believes catching Ferrari will be a “big challenge” but not impossible. “Suzuka and Qatar have probably been tracks we’ve been looking at for quite a while in terms of what’s going to favour us,” he said.

“There will be some races that will be more difficult and will probably suit other teams better. What, five races and a couple of sprints? 79 points?” It’s a difficult task, but we’ll give it our best shot. Hopefully, we’ll be able to pull it off.”

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