Lando Norris believes McLaren now has the strongest car in Formula One, marking a shift in dominance ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. McLaren has been the team to beat this season, with Norris securing victory at the Australian Grand Prix and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, leading him in a one-two finish in China.
Red Bull had been the dominant force in recent years, with Max Verstappen securing the last four drivers' championships. However, Norris feels that the balance has now tipped in McLaren's favor and is eager to prove it at Suzuka this weekend.
The 25-year-old Briton, who has yet to win in Japan, expressed confidence in his team’s progress, acknowledging that McLaren has never been in such a position before. He emphasized that while Red Bull previously enjoyed a clear advantage, McLaren now has its own opportunity to lead the grid.
Norris currently holds an eight-point lead over Verstappen in the championship standings, with Piastri in fourth place behind Mercedes' George Russell. Unlike some of their front-running rivals, McLaren has maintained consistency by keeping its driver lineup unchanged for the new season.
Norris also highlighted the strong working relationship between himself and Piastri, suggesting that their synergy gives McLaren an edge over other teams. He praised their ability to push each other and extract the best performances, claiming their teamwork surpasses that of their competitors.
While Verstappen has dominated at Suzuka in recent years, Norris remains optimistic about McLaren’s chances. He noted that Red Bull was significantly ahead a year ago but believes the gap has now closed, with McLaren emerging as a serious title contender in 2024.
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