Danica Patrick has urged Lando Norris not to publicly admit that he feels he has lost to Formula 1 title contender Max Verstappen.
McLaren’s Norris closed to within 47 points of Red Bull’s Verstappen with four rounds of the 2024 season remaining after a fierce battle between the pair at Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Verstappen, the 61st race winner, is seeking his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, while three-time race winner Norris is chasing an unlikely first.
Norris said during the race in Mexico that he was “not quite on the level” of Verstappen, who had beaten the Briton to third the previous weekend in Austin after a controversial fight, which left the McLaren driver in contention. punished.
“Maybe not saying it again, I think that’s the approach to take,” he said Sky Sports F1 pundit Patrick, only female driver has won the IndyCar series race.
“He needs to sort out his own image as the aggressor, as the best driver. The problem is that Max has won so many times compared to him, so it’s always in the back of your mind.
“But I don’t think you should volunteer.”
Norris was able to turn the tables on Verstappen in Mexico City, with his rival receiving two separate 10-second penalties for two very aggressive moves against the Englishman in the same lap.
When the incident finally denied Norris was taken in victory, he took advantage of McLaren’s strong pace to claim second as Verstappen finished up sixth.
Patrick added: “Lando has consistently had good results and is the driver we’re looking for to win, so I think the narrative itself will change a little bit.
“But the truth is, that’s how it is (Verstappen is now superior).
“I just think as a competitor, that’s not something you usually say.”
Norris: Maybe I haven’t been aggressive enough
Speaking after Sunday’s race, Norris appeared to give more details on what he wanted to do when he admitted he had not performed at Verstappen’s level.
“I always fight fair – I’m a driver, that’s how I drive every day.” said Norris, who has the opportunity to make more ground on Verstappen at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.
“Maybe sometimes I’ve lost because I’ve been too fair and not aggressive enough. And that’s where I have to find a better balance. And that’s all, the change I’m saying is that it has to change from now on. last weekend and certainly this year.
“When you race these top guys, you learn things and you have to understand better the balance of attacking, defending, risk management, aggression, all that kind of thing.
“I will do what I can. I will race fairly. If not, then the situation will be the way it is now. But I think he wants to race fairly. I hope he can. I think he likes the moment. , well, when it’s a fair fight.
“All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing. I think I’m doing a good job, and we’ll see what happens.”
Sao Paulo GP schedule live Sky Sports F1
Thursday, October 31
4pm: Driver Press Conference
Friday November 1st
2pm: Sao Paulo GP Practice One (session starts at 2.30pm)
16.30: Team Leader’s Press Conference
6pm: Sprint GP Sao Paulo Qualifying (qualifying starts at 6.30pm*)
Saturday 2 November
13:00 Sao Paulo GP Sprint build-up
2pm: Sao Paulo GP Sprint
15.30: Notebook Sprint Ted
5pm: Qualifying Sao Paulo builds
6pm: Sao Paulo GP Qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Sunday November 3rd
15:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
19:00: Checkered Flag: Reaction to GP Sao Paulo
8pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
America’s Formula 1 triple header concludes this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with Sports Month Membership NOW – No contract, cancel anytime