Lando Norris makes F1 title race prediction after Azerbaijan Grand Prix disappointment

Lando Norris suggested that Max Verstappen is still in the Formula 1 title race after the reigning champion won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Red Bull driver took victory from pole in Baku ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz, who remarkably achieved Williams’ first podium since 2021.

But the big drama was on the opening lap when championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed into the barriers, the first time he has failed to score points this season.

McLaren teammate Norris couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to close the 31-point gap in the title race, but he failed to take advantage.

A poor qualifying and start saw him get stuck in the lower points places, and while he eventually got himself in a position to finish fifth and maybe push for a podium, another slow stop from his pit crew cost him dear.

A seventh-place finish means the gap to Piastri only reduces to 25 points with seven races of the season remaining, while back-to-back wins for Verstappen means he’s 69 points behind the Aussie, with the prospect of a fifth consecutive title still on the cards.

The result also means McLaren were unable to clinch the constructors’ championship in record time.

Speaking post-race, Norris refused to blame the slow stop for the result and said that rival teams have now caught up with the once unstoppable McLaren car, which will lead to much closer races for the rest of the year.

‘I don’t think the pit stop changed anything. It was just too difficult to overtake,’ the Brit told Canal+.

‘It didn’t matter how fast you were on the track. I don’t think I could have done better than seventh today. There’s not much you can do about it, i just couldn’t keep up, that’s how it is…’

He later told Sky Sports: ‘People have caught [up]. Red Bull brought upgrades last weekend, they’re clearly doing well, their race pace was strong.

‘It’s not a surprise they’ve improved in some areas, they are a winning team for the last how many years. We knew they could be a threat, we know some of these tracks are not going to be our best. Vegas, we know we’re going to struggle again.

‘But it wasn’t our cleanest weekend. If I could go back to yesterday and change some things I certainly would. But there are still plenty of races this year.’

Piastri remains Norris’ biggest threat to winning a first title and this was an uncharacteristically error-laden grand prix for the championship leader.

‘I just didn’t anticipate the dirty air in the way I should have. Clearly went into the corner way too hot and that was that,’ Piastri said of his crash.

‘The grip level was low but I should know that. So, I’m certainly not blaming it on anything other than myself. Just didn’t make the judgement calls that I need to at the right time, and that’s obviously disappointing.’

Asked about the crash, Norris is doubtful it will affect things in the long term for his rival: ‘What do I know?! Oscar’s an incredible driver, I doubt it will do anything. I don’t think people realise how easy it is to make mistakes round here.’

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