Danica Patrick has urged Lando Norris to cease publicly admitting he’s inferior to Formulation 1 title rival Max Verstappen.
After one other fierce duel between McLaren’s Norris and Purple Bull’s Verstappen at Sunday’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, with 4 rounds left within the 2024 season, the factors hole is near 47 factors.
Verstappen, the 61-time grand prix winner, is searching for a fourth consecutive drivers’ title, whereas three-time grand prix winner Norris is chasing an unlikely first.
Norris stated within the build-up to the Mexican Grand Prix that he was “not but on the stage” of Verstappen, who completed third after a controversial battle in Austin final weekend. The McLaren driver was eradicated and punished.
“Possibly cease saying that, I feel that is the strategy he must take,” stated Sky Sports activities F1 Specialist Patrick is the one feminine driver to win an IndyCar Sequence race.
“He wants to consider himself because the aggressor, the perfect driver. The factor is, in comparison with him, Max has received a whole lot of wins, so it is at all times behind your thoughts.
“However I do not suppose it is essentially one thing you do voluntarily.”
Norris turned the tables on Verstappen in Mexico Metropolis after his rival acquired two 10-second penalties for 2 overly aggressive strikes on the Briton on the identical lap.
Whereas these incidents finally value Norris his probability of profitable, he took benefit of McLaren’s sturdy tempo to complete second, with Verstappen finally ending sixth.
Patrick added: “Lando has been delivering nice outcomes and is more and more changing into a driver we anticipate to win, so I feel his personal narrative could change a bit.
“However truthfully, that is what it’s [Verstappen is currently superior].
“I simply suppose as a competitor, that is not one thing you’d usually say.”
Norris: Possibly I am not radical sufficient
After Sunday’s race, Norris appeared to additional elaborate on his admission that his efficiency was less than Verstappen’s stage.
“I’ve at all times fought truthful and sq. – that is who I’m as a racing driver, that is how I drive day by day,” stated Norris, who has the prospect to additional overtake Verstappen at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“Possibly typically I failed as a result of I used to be too truthful and never aggressive sufficient. That is the place I needed to discover a higher steadiness. These are the issues I stated I needed to change from final weekend and this yr’s course.
“You study one thing whenever you play towards these prime gamers, it’s a must to higher perceive offense, protection, danger administration, aggression and all these forms of balances.
“I will do my finest. I will play truthful. If he does not do this, then issues will probably be like as we speak. However I feel he needs to play truthful. I hope he does. I feel he enjoys these moments. , when it is a truthful battle.
“All I can do is hold doing what I am doing. I really feel like I am doing a superb job and we’ll see what occurs.”
Sky Sports activities F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix reside schedule
Thursday, October 31
4pm: Drivers press convention
Friday, November 1
2pm: São Paulo Grand Prix follow one (begins at 2.30pm)
4.30pm: Crew chief press convention
6pm: Sao Paulo GP dash qualifying (qualifying begins at 6.30pm*)
Saturday, November 2
1pm: Dash preparation for the São Paulo Grand Prix
2pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Dash
3.30pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
5pm: Sao Paulo qualifiers
6pm: São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, November 3
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparations for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
5pm: Grand Prix of Sao Paulo
7pm: Checkered flag: Sao Paulo Grand Prix response
8pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast reside on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
The Formulation 1 Americas tripleheader concludes with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, with each race reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime