Are McLaren favourites at Norris' 'home' race this weekend? "Spa is completely different"

Norris knows Red Bull can be "incredible" in Spa

The progress of McLaren has been evident since the 2023 British Grand Prix, and 2024 has seen yet more improvement. The Miami Grand Prix victory for Norris highlighted the race-winning potential of the papaya-coloured team, and they added a second win at the Hungaroring last time out.

But can they do the same at Spa this weekend? Norris does not know, saying, "As a team, I have no idea. Were we [the favourites] last weekend? Yes, I think last weekend was the first one I can quite happily say we were easily the best team, both in quali and the race. But Spa is completely different, with much lower downforce. This is where Red Bull have been incredible in the past. Ferrari, have been maybe a little bit further back lately. But it's very close. Max only missed out on the pole by four-hundredths. It's nothing. So at the same time, you can say he was just as quick in quali. He didn't have a great race but he was still pretty quick. I expect a battle for all of us."

The 24-year-old knows that Red Bull will hope to answer back after another disappointing in Hungary, but he will want to impress at his 'home' Grand Prix. Although Norris races under the British flag, his mother is Belgian, so this weekend will be a special one for the McLaren driver: "It will be special, especially for my mum. All of the family have gone through a lot lately with the passing of my grandma. For all of my side that are out here in Belgium. She used to come to every race, both my grandparents used to come to every race and since racing in Genk in go-karts. it's always been nice. I've come out to Belgium since I was a baby pretty much every single year. "