McLaren workforce principal Andrea Stella has not dominated out the specter of Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are set to begin the race on the Yas Marina Circuit from second and third on the grid, respectively, behind Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen on pole place.
Whereas it was a constructive session for the Woking outfit, Stella admitted that Russell and Leclerc might nonetheless pose a menace to Norris and Piastri in the course of the race as they begin from fourth and fifth, respectively.
“So, there isn’t a distinction when it comes to rear wing setting,” Stella advised Sky Sports activities F1 after qualifying when requested if Norris and Piastri had completely different rear wing set-ups.
“They’re on the identical configuration, so any pace distinction that we see can be as a consequence of slipstream to the automobile forward. So, we now have positively seen sufficient that the vehicles ship completely from a downforce drag standpoint. “So, that is all good. Russell, Leclerc, positively we’re not alone. It is going to be a fancy race, however one through which we now have to do the perfect job attainable and ship and let Lando and Oscar have their choices, potentialities for the championship.”
The drivers’ championship combat hangs on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris heads into the race within the lead with 12 factors over polesitter Verstappen. Norris’s team-mate Piastri trails Verstappen in third by 4 factors.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Norris simply must convey residence a podium end to clinch his first championship title.
Former Method 1 driver Nico Rosberg shared his respect for Norris in his post-qualifying evaluation.
“The thriller stays open,” he advised Sky Sports activities F1. “I wish to give my respect to Lando Norris. The entire qualifying, issues weren’t going his manner, in some way the entire thing was a battle, however when it mattered on the finish, he pulled out a phenomenal lap to place himself on the entrance row.
“The stress would have been insane at that final second, particularly if you really feel issues usually are not going completely, even a Russell can threaten you.
“He did an incredible job, Lando, in the long run. An ideal job.”
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