Grand Prix of China
Norris and the Formula 1 print: Not ripe for the World Cup title?
In Formula 1, the next World Cup duel between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen is scheduled. The challenger already shows nerves. And the psycho -games begin in the background.
Lando Norris had no desire for the questions of the reporters. Already on the first day of the second Formula 1 weekend, the World Cup leader had to explain to the cameras in Shanghai why, despite the fastest car, he did not make it into pole position. “That was my mistake,” said the British McLaren driver noticeably: “I put too much pressure, maybe I have to take a little back there.”
A brick cost the 25-year-old the first place to start in China on Saturday (4:00 a.m./RTL and Sky), which is quite surprisingly surprisingly in Ferrari on Saturday (4:00 a.m./RTL and Sky). And even before the first short race of the year, the question arises: Does Norris have what it takes to be world champion and can mainly against the ice -cold Max Verstappen?
Last Sunday Norris shone in Melbourne and snatched Champion Verstappen after a long 1029 days with a win for the first time the top position in the overall ranking. “There is nothing to celebrate,” said Norris after his arrival in China, and it was noticeable to avoid every euphoria: “I had a good weekend, but we should all calm down.”
Verstappen sees “a lot of work” for victories in front of themselves
The expectations of the Vice World Champion have increased – and with it the pressure. Also at the Grand Prix of China on Sunday (8:00 a.m./Sky and RTL) Norris was considered an indomitable favorite until he could not end his fastest qualification round on Friday and was only sixth.
“No,” said Norris before. The leadership position with seven points ahead will not change anything as it is now. “I will not think of the World Cup until at least half a season is over,” said the Wahlmonegasse at a press conference, where he also said: “We saw a quick Red Bull, they are certainly not far away.”
That should come true. Despite the initial problems with high tire wear, Zerstappen in qualifying place two and put Norris under pressure despite a (still) weaker car. The 27-year-old Dutchman seems advantageous, but knows about the flaws of his car. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us so that we can fight for victories,” said Verstappen in Melbourne: “When the tires started to overheat, we had no chance. McLaren just drove away.”
Norris’ car “very difficult to drive”
The traditional British team around Norris and teammate Oscar Piatri has developed an advantage and surprised the competition when handling the tires properly. Nevertheless, Norris says: “The car is very difficult to drive, even if it is good. The car has to be a little more predictable to drive a little more comfortable.” Accordingly, the challenger sees a lot of work before the second of 24 season runs.
In addition to the technical requirements for the first World Cup title, the psyche will also be about the psyche in the coming months. The now four-time Champion Verstappen made hardly any mistakes in the past and showed itself on the route compromise or even ruthless to see the target flag first. Norris still has to prove that he has something to oppose at the highest level and in the decisive situations. In the previous year he managed too rarely.
“I hope that we can be better and it will be easier,” said Norris, who has a total of five racing wins. Verstappen has already demonstrated 63 and several times that he is the driver to beat.
McLaren-Störfeuer against Verstappen
However, the usual games have long since started to cause unrest. “I think he’ll go at the end of this year,” said McLaren boss Zak Brown in an interview by the English “Telegraph” about Verstappen. Norris’s boss openly speculated that it could move to Mercedes, but maybe also to Aston Martin. However, Verstappen still has a contract with Red Bull by the end of 2028.
Whether he definitely fulfills this? “The Max wants to have a car with which he can win. And if we cannot put it down – because of course there is also performance clauses – then it will be difficult,” said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko at Sky. What has to happen that Verstappen can go earlier at Red Bull is not known.
The successful team of the past few years does not expect Verstappen to permanently follow after. Red Bull wants to improve continuously and prefer to dominate again at the top. “The situation is not as black as Zak would like to see,” said the Austrian Marko.
dpa
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
