McLaren F1 battle with Ferrari is “tense”

With five remaining races there are only 3.5 points between the two teams in the battle for third place in the constructors’ championship.

But since Ferrari has seen good performance gains in recent races after introducing an upgraded engine, McLaren knows that maintaining its position is facing a major challenge.

Norris insists that McLaren is not sober about its outlook but is aware of how difficult it is now to make sure it is delivering what it takes to keep going.

“We’re motivated, we work hard, but I think it’s hard,” he said before the Mexican Grand Prix.

“It’s hard to know where you will be each weekend because in general it has always been very close, even since the start of the season.

“It’s not like we ran away with it at any point. It’s been tight since the start of the season, but it’s tense. We work hard, everyone in the factory is working hard to find the last little things.” Things we need for the rest of the season.

“But Ferrari is strong, you have to give it to them. They have done very well in the second half of the season and especially in the last few weekends. So we are fighting and we can definitely bring it to an end for them. That is the plan.”

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Norris says the different strengths of the two cars – better on high-speed corners with McLaren while Ferrari excels in the slower things – kept things tight between the two teams throughout the season.

But he has no illusions that increasing its engine performance, which had previously been a weakness, improved Ferrari’s prospects.

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“Sometimes different parts of the track suit us and other parts of the track suit them and I think that’s why we’re always pretty even,” added Norris.

“Then there are some tracks that are simply better suited for Ferrari, like Baku with the slower speed or Monaco.

“I think we both clearly have our strengths and weaknesses. Of course Ferrari is, one of their weaknesses is now less of a weakness. So yes, it’s tough. But it’s exciting and we will continue to work hard.”