Lando Norris Not Surprised by Max Verstappen's F1 Resurgence

Lando Norris has squarely dismissed the notion that Max Verstappen's recent surge in the F1 title race is a "surprise," stating it's "quite the opposite." Since the summer break, Verstappen has claimed three victories in six races, significantly closing the gap on championship leaders Oscar Piastri and Norris, with Norris regaining the points lead in Mexico City.

Why it matters:

McLaren's dominant performance earlier in the season, particularly at Zandvoort, made Red Bull's subsequent turnaround seem unexpected to many. However, Norris's perspective highlights the inherent strengths of top teams in Formula 1. His comments underline that sustained success in F1 is a product of deep engineering expertise and the ability to diagnose and rectify issues rapidly, rather than simply a matter of form.

The details:

• Verstappen's Comeback: Max Verstappen has won three of the six races since the summer break, significantly eroding the championship lead held by McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
• Norris's Lead: Despite Verstappen's strong run, Lando Norris currently leads the standings by 36 points with 116 points still available across the final four race weekends.
• Rejecting the 'Surprise' Label: When asked if Red Bull's rapid recovery in form was surprising, Norris unequivocally said no.
• Red Bull's Capabilities: Norris cited Red Bull's consecutive Constructors' Championships before McLaren's recent rise and their team of highly intelligent, multi-championship-winning personnel. He emphasized that Red Bull was "never that bad" and quickly became competitive once they addressed their specific issues.
• Internal Benchmarks: Norris drew parallels with McLaren's own significant improvements over the past couple of years, noting that his team made "much bigger steps" to become championship contenders. This internal experience reinforces his belief that such turnarounds are possible for well-resourced teams.
• Understanding F1 Dynamics: Norris explained that understanding the complex aerodynamic principles and team operations involved in Formula 1 makes such a comeback less of a surprise and more of an expected outcome for a top-tier team with an exceptional driver.

The big picture:

Norris's insights reveal a sophisticated understanding of F1's competitive dynamics. He acknowledges that while teams might face temporary setbacks, the foundational strengths – skilled personnel, proven engineering capabilities, and an elite driver – mean a return to form is often predictable, not surprising. This perspective adds nuance to the narrative of Red Bull's resurgence, framing it as an expected demonstration of their underlying excellence rather than an unforeseen twist.

What's next:

With only four race weekends remaining and 116 points up for grabs, the championship battle remains intense. Norris's firm stance suggests McLaren is fully aware of Red Bull's capabilities and is prepared for a sustained challenge. The focus will now be on which team can consistently extract maximum performance and reliability as the season reaches its climax.