Norris expects Interlagos ‘won’t suit McLaren at all’ · RaceFans

In brief

Norris expects Interlagos ‘won’t suit McLaren at all’

Lando Norris expects that the Interlagos circuit will not suit McLaren’s car for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

McLaren are locked in a close battle with Alpine over fourth place in the constructors’ championship, with Alpine only seven points ahead with two rounds remaining. Despite out-scoring Alpine in four of the last five races, Norris does not expect Brazil to be a strong race for the team.

“I wouldn’t say Brazil is going to suit us at all with the balance of the car and our struggles,” said Norris.

“I think even the last few races we’ve not been the quickest car or quick enough – we’ve just done a better job with the strategy and with reliability to at least get to the chequered flag.”

Red Bull targetting second for Perez

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says the world champions target for the end of the season is to secure second place in the drivers’ championship for Sergio Perez.

The team have already secured both world titles with Max Verstappen successfully defending his drivers’ championship and Red Bull winning their first constructors’ championship since 2013. Perez is five points ahead of Charles Leclerc in second after Ferrari endured a difficult weekend in Mexico off the pace of Red Bull and Mercedes.

“Ferrari looked like they were a little bit handicapped, so I’m not sure we saw their real pace, but I’m sure they’ll be back,” said Horner.

“It was important for Checo to score strong points. It puts him back into second in the championship, and that’s our target – for him to finish in that position by the end of Abu Dhabi.”

Cost cap should bring field closer together – Tost

AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost believes F1’s budget cap will bring its grid closer together over time.

The sport introduced a budget cap last season, limiting how much money teams could spend in a variety of areas. Although the top three teams have dominated the 2022 season, Tost is confident the midfield will catch up as the years go by.

“The new regulation brought the cars closer together, especially in the midfield,” he said.

“I think that the gap to the three top teams could also be closed in the next years when the cost cap is coming closer, or will help to bring the teams closer together because…