Lando Norris handed F1 'sweet spot' praise amid fading title hopes

2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg has stated Lando Norris is operating in “the sweet spot” this year despite his fading hopes of successfully defending his championship.

Norris entered the season as the reigning champion, having prevailed at the final round last year in Abu Dhabi over Max Verstappen and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

However, McLaren has been unable to repeat its consistent race-winning form this year and has often struggled for pace in the first half of the campaign.

The MCL40 has been more competitive of late with two wins in the last four rounds, which could have been three, if not for a poorly timed virtual safety car last time out in Madrid.

Rosberg stated that McLaren's slow start to the year was due to getting up to speed with a new power unit as a customer team. 

“Not only was the car missing in the beginning of the season, but I think they also needed time to get used to the power unit,” Rosberg told media including RacingNews365.

“That's a disadvantage when you're a customer to the power unit. It takes more time to get the hang of it.”

Norris performances 'unbelievable to watch' - Rosberg

Despite its struggles, Norris has more often than not been the stronger performer at the Woking-based squad.

Any hope of reeling in Kimi Antonelli for the championship lead appears slim, however, as he currently sits 106 points behind the Italian.

However, Rosberg insisted Norris can take pride in the performances he has put on display.

“But now Lando, he's world champion,” he said. “That gives more confidence. He's not the favourite to the championship this year either. 

“That makes you more relaxed because you're not the hunted, but you're the hunter. 

“He's really in the sweet spot at the moment, and he's driving as well as ever. 

“It's unbelievable to watch, the level that he's at out there at the moment.”