With five remaining races there are only 3.5 points between the two teams.
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 are motivated, we work hard, but I think it’s hard,” he said before the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend.
“It’s hard to know where you will be every 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 we need for the rest of the season.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
“But Ferrari is strong, you have to give it to them. You presented yourself very well in the second half of the season and especially on the last weekends.
“So we’re having a fight and we can definitely bring it to an end. That is the plan.”
Norris says the different strengths of the two cars – better on high-speed corners with McLaren while Ferrari excels in the slower corners – kept things tight between the two teams throughout the season.
But he’s under no illusions that Ferrari’s prospects have been improved by its engine’s recent performance upgrade, which had previously been a weakness.
“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 slow speed or Monaco.
“I think we both obviously have our strengths and weaknesses. Of course Ferrari is, one of their weaknesses is now less of a weakness.
“So yeah, it’s tough. But it is exciting and we will continue to work hard. “
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