Verstappen and Norris nose to tail on the grid, expect fireworks
F1 NewsFriday, 01 November 2024 at 21:52
Fireworks expected! Lando Norris and Max Verstappen line up nose to tail for the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint Race by seeking maximum points from the two opportunities this weekend in Brazil.
Oscar Piastri surprised all with a fine pole-winning effort, to deny pace setter to that point Norris who will line up P2 on the grid with Verstappen in P4. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start from P3.
'Maximum points' for Norris is exactly that, outscore Verstappen by as much as possible. But for the reigning World Champion 'maximum points' means betaing Norris or fi8nishing right behind him.
Speaking after the session, Norris reflected on his P2: "A big improvement compared to where we were earlier today. We're struggling a lot, so a little bit surprised that we were so quick today, but a pleasant one, of course, a good lap.
"I made so many mistakes in my final lap and just boxed. But yeah, good job as a team. Like I said, wasn't expecting it. So a pleasant surprise, and you just couple too many mistakes in my final lap."
Norris: I don't care if he's first, if he's last, I'll do the best I can
Asked about beating Verstappen and the title race, visibly annoyed by the reporter, Norris said: "I don't care. I hate these questions so much. I'm just gonna race I don't care about where he qualifies for me, it's just focused on my own job, and that's it.
"You know, it's just, it's the same question every time, but it doesn't matter. I don't care if he's first, if he's last, I'll do the best I can. It's a completely different day, so we'll see. We definitely made some good steps forward. So, good enough, and happy with but we see in the Sprint Race on Saturday," concluded Norris.
After his Qualifying session, Verstappen said: "As soon as we went into qualifying, it looked like we were definitely off, so the car was a bit difficult on the bumps. "They did the resurfacing but I think they actually made it worse to drive.
Verstappen: It’s extremely bumpy everywhere
Verstappen added: "It’s extremely bumpy everywhere, so that’s not good for our car. In all the bumpy areas the car is jumping around a lot and it’s costing me quite a bit of time, unfortunately.
"For tomorrow I don’t know. Normally, when you are already quite a bit off over one lap, I don’t think we are particularly the strongest in the race, so we’ll have to see how that goes tomorrow in the Sprint.
"I also know that there is maybe some weather around that can come, but maybe not for the Sprint. We’ll have a look," added Verstappen.
In the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship standings, ahead of Saturday's Sao Paulo Sprint Race and Sunday's Grand Prix, Verstappen leads Norris by 47 points, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc P3, 71 points off the leader in the Drivers' standings after 20 rounds. McLaren lead Ferrari by 29 points in the Constructors' race.
Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint Race Grid
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