Lando Norris hits back at McLaren critics over F1 title approach

Lando Norris has defended McLaren's approach to the ongoing F1 title fight as Max Verstappen closes in on the lead.

Verstappen currently sits 36 points down on Norris, who dominated in Mexico City last time out to move to the head of the drivers' championship.

For much of the year, the title fight was largely seen between Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

The approach to the title fight has been criticised by some fans, particularly when Piastri was instructed to hand second position back to Norris when the latter suffered a slow pit stop in Italy and again for 'repercussions' enforced on Norris following a minor collision at the Singapore Grand Prix.

When asked if McLaren's way of dealing with the fight has allowed Verstappen to become a factor in the battle, Norris told Sky F1: “I don't think so. 

“People can always say what they want and come up with their own opinions, everyone has the right to do that. 

“But I don't think so. I don't think it's hurt us at any point this season. 

“People, of course, will say that it has. It's just a lot more questions, a lot more controversy that people like to create.”

Norris and Piastri have been closely matched throughout the campaign and won the constructors' championship for McLaren with several rounds to spare.

Norris highlighted the achievement as a defence to the way the team has conducted its operations this year.

“We've still gained as a team this year, because we have two guys who perform very well,” he said.

“It's why we won the constructors already.

“Red Bull is fighting for a world championship, but they don't have a second driver who can perform and back him up. 

“There are a lot of things that we do very well that we don't get praise for. 

“We're performing well as a team. We'll continue to that, we're performing how a championship team needs to perform.”