Norris hopeful of F1 title shift after Red Bull secret revealed

Lando Norris is hopeful the F1 title fight will "shift" more in favour of himself and McLaren following the exposure of a secret device on rival Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

The constructors' champion has confirmed the existence of a system that adjusts the front-bib clearance of its RB20, allowing it to secretly alter the ride height of the car in between qualifying and a grand prix.

Ideally, the lower the floor in qualifying, the better. Conversely, running slightly higher in a race will again aid performance.

After discussions were held following the Singapore Grand Prix almost four weeks ago after the component came to light, the FIA has tightened its procedures ahead of this weekend's race in the United States.

Red Bull has confirmed it has "agreed a plan going forward" with the FIA to mitigate against further issues.

As to how much the device has played a part in Red Bull's latest title-challenging campaign is open to speculation.

McLaren has overhauled Red Bull in the constructors' standings and leads by 41 points, whilst Norris has closed the gap on Verstappen to 52 points in the drivers' championship battle.

As to whether the FIA clampdown will now help McLaren and Norris, speaking to media, including RacingNews365, the British driver said: "It's one thing having it on your car, it's another thing on how much you exploit it and use it, which we have no idea on.

"If it has been helping them, if they've utilised it in a way people think they have, then maybe it will shift in our direction."

McLaren and Red Bull difference ' black and white'

Norris is sceptical as to how much it would have played a part, although recognises in tight qualifying battles, it may have proven beneficial for Verstappen.

"When you talk about things like that, it's not going to gain them...they're not going to have got several pole positions or wins just because of such a device," added Norris. "So I don't think it will change anything in the scheme of things.

"But when we look at certain qualifyings, and we look at the gap in certain races this year, when it's been split by hundredths of a second in qualifying, or even thousandths, then you might say, 'Okay, well, maybe this helped in that direction or this direction'."

Praising motorsport's world governing body for acting swiftly, Norris said: "It's good that the FIA are doing such a thing."

Referring then to the McLaren rear-wing that recently caught everyone's attention and resulted in the team making changes to also appease the FIA, Norris feels there is a difference.   

"There's a difference between black-and-white stuff like this, and there's a difference between Formula 1 and pushing the boundaries and creating new things and innovating within the space that you're allowed to innovate.

"I think that's what we, as McLaren, have done a very good job in, but we're sure not to go any further than that."