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norris after the japanese grand prix over gap with verstappen and red bull

Norris surprised by 'small' gap with Verstappen: 'Don't know if Max was pushing'

24 September 2023 at 13:01
Last update 24 September 2023 at 14:08
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  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Lando Norris grabbed his second podium finish in a row at the Grand Prix. The Briton started third but was many times faster in the race than teammate Oscar Piastri, eventually finishing second behind Max Verstappen. Norris actually thought the gap of almost 20 to race winner Verstappen was not so bad.

Norris with great start at the Japanese Grand Prix

Norris started the race from third place at Suzuka Circuit but was almost in the lead by the time he entered the first corners. Verstappen, however, just managed to keep the Briton from the lead. The great start did allow Norris to pass his teammate. Later, the Briton did have to overtake Piastri on the track after the Australian made his pit stop during the virtual safety car and gained a lot of time as a result. However, overtaking Piastri was not a big problem for Norris.

Norris expected bigger gap with Verstappen

At the end of the race, the gap between Norris and Verstappen was 19.3 seconds, and Norris was more than happy with that. "I was expecting him to probably lap us two or three times, and he didn't," Norris joked. "I was expecting probably a bigger gap. I was genuinely, I think we all were as a team, and I think it would have been a lot closer. I lost eight to ten seconds behind Perez under the VSC."

With the somewhat 'small' gap between the two drivers, Norris was not sure if Verstappen got everything out of it on Sunday in Japan. " I don’t know how hard Max was really pushing. I'm sure he could have gone a bit quicker if he wanted to, but to be only 19 seconds behind, he didn't get a free pit stop, which was lovely," Norris continued.

Japanese Grand Prix result shows progression McLaren

According to the young Briton, the final result of the Japan Grand Prix shows how well McLaren is doing this season. "I think it's just signs of our progress. It's a track which has suited the car very well. I've been very comfortable since Friday to push and get in a good rhythm, and I think that's one of the most important things here is to feel comfortable with the car, get in a good rhythm, and I could do that yesterday [Saturday] and I could do it today [Sunday] and that shows with our speed, we're able to perform that. Another podium for us, a great result, a load of points, so a very good day," the McLaren driver concluded.