Lando Norris says beating Max Verstappen in Azerbaijan GP is a ‘spectacular’ increase for his F1 title hopes

Lando Norris says ending forward of Max Verstappen within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was “spectacular” for his hopes of chasing down the world championship chief.

After a disastrous early exit from qualifying on Saturday, Norris produced an excellent comeback from fifteenth on the grid to complete fourth for McLaren in Baku, passing Crimson Bull’s Verstappen within the closing phases regardless of having began 9 locations behind the Dutchman.

The consequence noticed Norris cut back Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship result in 59 factors with seven rounds remaining, the primary of which follows instantly in Singapore.

“I simply want factors,” Norris advised Sky Sports activities F1. “After all, to complete forward of Max is spectacular, from the place we began and for our (title) hopes.

“Yesterday remains to be on my thoughts as a result of it was simply irritating, and what might have been if that did not occur. Anyway, a superb day.”

Not solely did Norris make sudden floor on Verstappen, however his team-mate Oscar Piastri’s victory ensured McLaren took the lead within the Constructors’ Championship.

It is the primary time since 2014 that McLaren have led the standings, whereas Crimson Bull had not been dislodged from the highest since June 2022.

Norris performed his half in Piastri securing the win, slowing down Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez to assist his team-mate retain observe place because the Mexican tried an undercut.

“A superb consequence for us as a crew, Oscar profitable I am even happier for,” Norris mentioned. “For us to be on high of the constructors, it is the primary time in lots of, a few years so to play a component in that’s clearly superb.

“It allowed Oscar to remain forward and probably get the win as we speak. I am blissful I helped him out and performed a small half in that. For us as a crew, that is what we’re right here to do.

“To return out with a primary and a fourth was excellent.”

Verstappen: We did not lose too many factors on a foul weekend

After a dismal displaying in Monza two weeks in the past, Crimson Bull regarded to have discovered some solutions throughout Friday apply in Baku earlier than setup modifications going into Saturday appeared to set them backwards.

Verstappen was out-qualified by Perez for the primary time in 34 races on Saturday, and was surprisingly as soon as extra the slower of the Crimson Bulls on Sunday as he struggled with braking.

“It was fairly a tough race,” Verstappen advised Sky Sports activities F1. “After qualifying I do not suppose the ultimate change was the suitable one. We paid the value for that.

“It was so simple as that as a result of when you take a look at Checo (Perez) he had a a lot better race. It appeared like he was extra snug.

“From our aspect, we tried one thing else and it did not work out. You win and lose as a crew.

“After all, I am not pleased with the efficiency. Typically you make some ultimate modifications earlier than qualifying and it really works, sadly this time it did not.”

Verstappen, who has now gone seven races and not using a win, mentioned after ending sixth in Monza that it was “unrealistic” for him and Crimson Bull to carry onto their respective championship leads if there wasn’t an upturn within the crew’s efficiency.

Requested whether or not his perspective on that had modified after the weekend in Baku, he replied: “Even in fairly a foul weekend for me we did not lose too many factors.

“I assume that is the constructive and I additionally know we are able to do a lot better. We are going to attempt to do this subsequent time.”

Formulation 1’s thrilling 2024 season continues dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 subsequent weekend with extra beautiful avenue circuit motion, this time beneath the lights on the Singapore Grand Prix. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime