Norris insists Red Bull not forgotten in F1 title fight admission

Lando Norris has pinpointed Ferrari as McLaren's "bigger competitor" in the F1 constructors' championship this year, although he is not counting out Red Bull. 

McLaren boast a 40-point lead over Red Bull following the United States Grand Prix, whilst Ferrari sits just eight points behind second place.

Ferrari has enjoyed a strong run of form of late and scored victory last time out in Austin through Charles Leclerc with Carlos Sainz crossing the line in second place.

Norris sees the Maranello-based outfit as a bigger threat due to both Leclerc and Sainz performing consistently towards the front, while Red Bull has been reliant on Max Verstappen.

"I've said that for a long time," Norris told media including RacingNews365. "I think almost since Miami, I said that Ferrari would be a bigger competitor to us.

"Mainly because they just had two cars competing up there [at the front] and fighting well, they've always been there or thereabouts. They seem like now our closest competitors. 

"But people are thinking too much that Red Bull is still out of the question, and I still standby saying it's pretty stupid if you think that."

Ferrari a bigger threat

Things have changed quickly in F1 this season, with performance rises and falls often occurring whenever an upgrade is introduced. 

With Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari introducing upgrades across the next couple of races, there is a chance the pecking order could change. 

For now, though, Norris is keeping a close eye on Ferrari, yet acknowledges that Red Bull cannot be forgotten about.

"You don't have to be smart, but if you just use your common sense and look at things, you would say that yes, Ferrari seem like the bigger competitors for us at the minute, but that can easily change," added Norris.

"But for the time being, and from what we've seen over the last three, four, five races, Ferrari seem competitive. 

"At the minute, I would say Ferrari seem like a bigger competition than Red Bull. But that doesn't mean we're at all counting out Red Bull."