By Alan Baldwin
(Reuters) – Lando Norris won by a mighty margin in Formula One leader Max Verstappen’s Dutch backyard last weekend and the McLaren driver aims to carry the momentum to Ferrari’s home Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Briton will need more than another commanding victory, however, to slash the 70-point lead enjoyed by Verstappen, winner for the last two years at Monza’s superfast ‘Temple of Speed’.
Ferrari, Mercedes and his own Australian teammate Oscar Piastri — who had the fastest lap at the circuit near Milan last year — could all help if they were to finish between Norris and Verstappen.
Sunday’s race is the last European round of the season and Ferrari will want to give their fans some cheer after an up and down campaign so far.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, on pole last year, celebrates his 30th birthday on race day with Ferrari bringing upgrades to both their cars.
Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton winning at the fast Spa and Silverstone circuits, could also be contenders after a run of three triumphs in four races ended in an ‘off weekend’ at Zandvoort.
Red Bull, now on a five-race losing streak and only 30 points clear of McLaren in the constructors’ standings, cannot be counted out either on a track that has been completely resurfaced for the first time in more than a century.
“Anyone could be on top. Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, us,” shrugged Norris when asked at Zandvoort, where he finally managed to win from pole for the first time, whether McLaren could take their form to Italy.
“Monza is a completely different circuit. So we’ll keep our heads down and keep chipping away.”
The British team had a one-two at Monza in 2021, with Norris second to then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Verstappen, second at Zandvoort with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third, said he would wait and see.
“Of course, in Monza, a lot is new. You know, Tarmac, kerbs, even the layout in turn one, two,” said the triple champion. “Also that, we need to understand a bit more. But, yeah, we know that we have quite a bit of work to do.”
Team mate Sergio Perez, whose low-scoring run of form has opened a door for McLaren, agreed.
“McLaren have obviously taken a huge step forward in their development and we know we need to work harder than ever to ensure we keep the lead in both championships,” said the Mexican.
“Monza should be more positive conditions… we should be quick around here and we are ready for the fight.”
Apart from the new surface leaving teams with learning to do, the weekend will have a new face on the grid after Williams dropped American Logan Sargeant and replaced him with Argentine F2 driver Franco Colapinto.
Mercedes will also be giving a Friday practice debut to Italian Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old widely expected to replace departing seven times world champion Hamilton next season.
Future Ferrari driver Hamilton meanwhile has the chance to win at Monza for a record sixth time.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)
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