BREAKING NEWS: Norris DISMISSES major F1..DOWNPLAYS Red Bull ahead of Las Vegas GP as He Said...

“Lando Norris Downplays Red Bull Threat, Focuses on Ferrari Ahead of Las Vegas GP”

McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has downplayed the threat of Red Bull as a major rival ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite a strong season, Norris believes Red Bull is no longer the primary concern for McLaren, as the British driver shifts his focus to Ferrari, a team that has emerged as a serious contender in the constructors’ championship.

Norris has been one of the standout performers this season, proving to be a formidable challenger to reigning drivers’ champion Max Verstappen. His impressive run included three race victories, with his first-ever F1 win coming in Miami back in May, followed by a series of podium finishes. These performances propelled Norris into the championship conversation, closing the gap on Verstappen. However, a disappointing result at the most recent race in Brazil dealt a major blow to Norris’ title hopes, essentially ending his chances of catching the Red Bull driver in the final stages of the season.

With Verstappen now on the verge of securing his fourth consecutive world championship, Norris acknowledges that his own championship bid is all but over. Verstappen needs only a strong result in Las Vegas this weekend to clinch the title, with three races remaining to get the job done. Despite this, Norris and his McLaren team still have plenty to fight for, especially in the constructors’ standings, where they currently lead the charge.

McLaren’s resurgence has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season. The combination of Norris and his young teammate Oscar Piastri has proven to be a powerful force on the grid. Their consistent performances have allowed McLaren to overtake Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, capitalizing on the fluctuating form of both Verstappen and Sergio Perez. While Verstappen has maintained a strong position in the drivers’ championship, Red Bull as a team has struggled with consistency, allowing McLaren to make significant gains. Ferrari has also benefited from Red Bull’s slip in form and now sits just 36 points behind McLaren in second place, making the fight for the constructors’ title a three-team battle heading into the final races.

Many had not expected Ferrari to be in the hunt for top honors at this stage of the season, given the strength of their rivals early on. However, Norris has always viewed Ferrari as McLaren’s main competitor, even during his strong performances against Verstappen. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris reflected on how he had anticipated Ferrari’s rise and dismissed Red Bull as a serious threat to McLaren’s title chances long ago.

“After Miami, I already said that our challenge is not with Red Bull, it’s with Ferrari,” Norris explained. “I’ve said it many, many times since, and it was very clear for a long time that Ferrari were going to be our biggest contenders over Red Bull.”

Norris made it clear that McLaren’s focus has shifted toward executing their own race strategy and maximizing their potential, rather than worrying about Red Bull. “There’s almost no focus on Red Bull,” Norris continued. “We’re focused on executing our own programme, executing our own potential. The rest should take care of itself.”

As McLaren prepares for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, their primary focus will be on maintaining their lead in the constructors’ championship while fending off Ferrari’s advances. Norris is determined to finish the season strong, knowing that while the drivers’ championship may be out of reach, a constructors’ title is still a realistic and important goal for the Woking-based team. With Ferrari hot on their heels and Red Bull still a dangerous presence, McLaren’s push for the constructors’ crown will be one of the key storylines heading into the final races of the season.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, a night race through one of the most famous cities in the world, adds an extra layer of excitement and spectacle. For Norris, this weekend presents another opportunity to prove McLaren’s strength and keep their title hopes alive, even if their focus is now squarely on Ferrari rather than Red Bull.