Max Verstappen record backed to remain despite growing Lando Norris belief

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes Lando Norris is too far adrift of Kimi Antonelli to defend his drivers' title this season, keeping a Max Verstappen record intact.

Verstappen holds the record for the biggest deficit recovered in a title fight after winning the 2022 drivers' title despite finding himself 46 points behind at one stage.

The Dutchman almost recovered a 104-point deficit last season, although he fell just two points short of becoming a five-time world champion.

After back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands, Norris finds himself 83 points behind Antonelli going into Monza this weekend, although the gap was at one stage 101 points.

Norris has been driving exceptionally well in recent races, yet Palmer thinks the points gap is just too big for the McLaren driver to overcome.

Asked if he feels Norris is too far adrift, Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast: "I still just feel like he is. Again, looking through the records, the biggest championship deficit overturned is 46 points by Max Verstappen in 2022. 

"Of course, it was nearly 104 last year, so that's where we're all switching our lenses to think anything less than 100 is brilliant. But you're still miles back, honestly. 

"And Lando at his worst was 101 points behind this year. I actually think he's driving unbelievably well. He's in the frame for driver of the season. Him and Kimi, for me, have been the two standouts. But he's still 83 points back."

The McLaren Monza question

A key reason why Palmer does not believe Norris can make up the points gap is the uncertainty over how McLaren will perform at the upcoming venues on the calendar.

Both of Norris' victories have come at high-downforce circuits, while Monza this weekend is the complete opposite.

"I think when you look at the last races, Budapest, Zandvoort, they're both high downforce," added Palmer. "They are both, if you gave me a list on paper to say which tracks would suit drivers, I'd put Lando's name right next to both of them. 

"He's got a great track record there. McLaren have got a great track record at both, and he's delivered absolutely brilliant wins. But can they do it at Monza? That's where I'm not sure. 

"We've got more Mercedes upgrades coming at some point as well. So my gut is that he's just too far back. But hey, if he somehow can put the pressure on, then you never know."