Verstappen welcomes a Monaco challenge from Norris and resurgent McLaren

verstappen welcomes a monaco challenge from norris and resurgent mclaren

second placed McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, celebrates on the podium with winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands after the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix race at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack in Imola, Italy, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

MONACO (AP) — Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen welcomes McLaren's surge in form ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

He only just held off Lando Norris last Sunday to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, beating the McLaren driver by .725 seconds. It was far removed from the crushing winning margins Verstappen enjoyed with Red Bull last year in a season of record dominance.

“It’s good for the sport that more teams are fighting for the win,” Verstappen said on Thursday at the Monaco GP. “For sure, things have (tightened) up which, from our side, makes it important to be at our very best.”

Although Verstappen took pole position at Emilia Romagna, he was pushed hard in qualifying by McLaren with Oscar Piastri starting second on the grid and Norris third.

Norris is on a roll with three straight podium finishes, including a victory in Miami on May 5. It has offered fans the hope of a closer championship and given Norris the belief he can be a genuine title contender.

“Everyone should think like that," Verstappen said of Norris talking up his chances. “Especially after their last two races, they (McLaren) are really in the mix.”

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton used to be Verstappen's main rival, losing the 2021 title on the last lap of the final race. While Mercedes is not yet quick enough to close the gap to Red Bull, the British veteran is thrilled to see his former team McLaren looking so strong.

“Lando's doing a great job, Oscar is doing a really great job as well,” said Hamilton, who won his first F1 title with McLaren in 2008. “Seeing McLaren back up there, it just warms my heart because I was there for such a long time and they gave me my break. I hope that we (Mercedes) can get closer as well."

Still, even with McLaren's recent progress, the points gap remains large: Verstappen leads the championship by 48 points from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez 54 points adrift in third, and Norris 60 points back in fourth overall.

“We still have a very, very fast car. I’m happy where I’m at," Verstappen said of Red Bull. “There’s so much investment going on, with the engine side of things.”

Leclerc has four podium finishes, and hasn't finished lower than fourth, but he's not buying into the idea that Verstappen and Red Bull are suddenly vulnerable.

“I don’t want to kill the enthusiasm, but I wouldn’t jump to conclusions too quickly," he said. “McLaren, Red Bull and ourselves are pretty close in qualifying. We know how important qualifying is here.”

Verstappen has been untouchable in qualifying when it matters this season, taking every pole position for Red Bull.

He has eight straight poles stretching back to the final race of last season, and another one in Monaco will break the F1 record he shares with the late Ayrton Senna.

Verstappen, however, does not feel overly optimistic of achieving this in Monaco, given how tight and sinewy the 3.3-kilometer (two-mile) street circuit is.

“Even if you’re supposed to have the best car, Monaco is a very tricky track. It's not going to be our best track (because) of bumps and kerbs," he said. “Ferrari are usually very strong here in qualifying and McLaren have really ramped up in performance.”

To boost its chances of victory, and to offset the tight confines of the street course, Red Bull is bringing a maximum downforce rear wing.

“It's so narrow," Verstappen said about Monaco. “I find it's even more challenging (than other street circuits).”

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

Springbok reality hit home for Sharks star Aphelele Fassi

17 minutes ago

Mason Greenwood: LaLiga giants bid to make Man Utd winger fourth-most expensive signing in club history

17 minutes ago

Review: 'Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning' is a good introduction to Pakistan's first superhero

17 minutes ago

National Assembly sitting proceeds despite warnings over legality

17 minutes ago

Going camping off the grid is getting harder. But admit it: You don’t mind.

19 minutes ago

ADC’s exclusive investor event in Abu Dhabi to showcase high-growth investment opportunities in Jordan’s Aqaba

19 minutes ago

Fallen black professionals feel betrayed by ANC

19 minutes ago

Simone Ashley triumphs at Monte-Carlo Television Festival

23 minutes ago

‘You’re not that important’: Joe Hildebrand shoots down CCP critics’ claims

23 minutes ago

$450 million plan to provide rental relief for essential workers

23 minutes ago

Patrick and Yolande endure blistering row as cracks grow deeper in EastEnders

23 minutes ago

Amy Dowden congratulated by fellow Strictly stars on ‘deserved’ MBE

23 minutes ago

Beijing uses panda diplomacy to repair ties with Australia

23 minutes ago

Sabrina Carpenter and boyfriend Barry Keoghan make rare public appearance for a date night at Chiltern Firehouse in London - after appearing together in singer's VERY steamy music video

26 minutes ago

Two people killed, multiple injured in shooting during Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock, Texas

29 minutes ago

Chelsea are 'willing to offer two first team stars' to Crystal Palace in exchange for Michael Olise... as Blues step up interest in the £60m-rated attacker

29 minutes ago

Steve Borthwick urges his England players to attract a new dynasty of rugby fans on summer tour of Japan and New Zealand... as he hails 'incredible' Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024

29 minutes ago

NFL insider hints at Aaron Rodgers’ location amid Jets absence: ‘Open your mind’

30 minutes ago

The anti-abortion movement is making a big play to thwart citizen initiatives on reproductive rights

30 minutes ago

Canon offers new firmware and applications for 4K remote PTZ camera systems

33 minutes ago

TSB quits City base as staff insist on working at home

33 minutes ago

Terrifying turbulence videos shared by plane passengers

33 minutes ago

The 20 best places to retire in Britain: From the Highlands and an average house price of £200,000, to the historic town within 90 miles of London

33 minutes ago

Kieran Culkin says 'Succession' made him realise his passion for acting

33 minutes ago

Dutton edges out Albo as preferred PM

33 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu snubs Olympic wildcard as Andy Murray learns Paris 2024 fate

33 minutes ago

Albania fans snapping spaghetti at Italy supporters is already the best thing from the Euros

33 minutes ago

DUP founding Wallace Thompson says nationalists need to reach out to unionists over unity

33 minutes ago

Bulls to host Glasgow Warriors in UFC final: Here’s when

33 minutes ago

Legendary coach highlights one aspect that will ‘pay huge dividends’ for Jannik Sinner on grass

33 minutes ago

Nasreddine Nabi confirms he’s held talks with Kaizer Chiefs, but has other offers as well — report

33 minutes ago

Finder survey shows nearly 50 per cent of Aussies are reluctant to travel abroad

33 minutes ago

Today in Politics: Amit Shah to chair high-level huddle on J-K security, Amarnath Yatra preps

33 minutes ago

Wells Fargo Bet on a Flashy Rent Credit Card. It Is Costing the Bank Dearly.

33 minutes ago

Swiss right-wing leader calls Ukraine summit an 'embarrassment'

38 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu REJECTS Team GB wildcard for the Paris Olympics as she continues to ease her way back after injury hell... while Andy Murray is set for a fairytale send-off at the Games

38 minutes ago

Video: 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook arrives in Germany for Euros after running 352 miles to support England - and predicts Three Lions victory over Serbia

38 minutes ago

Former sub-postmaster slams 'buffoonery' of Ed Davey's stunt-laden election campaign as Lib-Dem leader faces questions over lack of help during Horizon scandal when he was a minister

38 minutes ago

John Farnham's newly married son Rob shares first photos of his music legend father following cancer surgery that saw 26 doctors reconstruct his jaw

38 minutes ago

Anne is praised as 'outstanding horsewoman' after Princess Royal managed to keep control of her horse during Trooping the Colour