Norris adamant that ‘nothing has changed’ in title fight following Las Vegas disqualification

Lando Norris has admitted that despite the frustrating double disqualification for McLaren in Las Vegas, nothing has changed within himself or the team as he continues to target his maiden Drivers' Championship crown.

The Standings leader and his team mate Oscar Piastri originally finished the Las Vegas Grand Prix in second and fourth respectively, but they were later disqualified from the final result due to excessive skid wear on both cars.

Norris’ points advantage over the Australian and Red Bull's Max Verstappen was subsequently cut down to 24, but he can nevertheless secure the title if he outscores his rivals by two points over the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.

Asked whether he was angered by the disqualification in Las Vegas, Norris replied: “No. It doesn’t help. I think from what I had to do in the race, there was already some expectation that it might happen so it wasn’t a shock or a surprise.

“We knew we were having a lot more issues than we ever expected during the race. Maybe it would have hurt more if we won the race, but we didn’t so it doesn’t change anything. There’s no point being too sad about it.

“Of course, everyone in the team was a bit gutted about the result because there’s a lot of effort that goes into it. It was frustrating, but actually I was quite okay. I’m just excited to go again this weekend. It doesn’t change anything – I want to try and win here in Qatar and I want to try and win in Abu Dhabi. It sucks, but that’s life sometimes.”

Following the disqualification, both drivers mentioned that the ride height will be adjusted to guard against any further wear to the plank, with Norris adding that the change will most likely improve their speed in Qatar.

He said: “We’ll probably be quicker now we have to put it up because I won’t have to back off everywhere. Everyone thinks it’ll make us slow but it’ll probably make us quicker. I’m excited for all of it.

“I’ve never been in this situation before but I’m excited. I think it’s exciting for everyone. I certainly would have liked to have the 30-point gap instead of 24 to whoever it is, but it makes it more exciting for you guys I guess, so good for you.

“I think I’ll just go and try to do the same thing – I’ll focus on trying to get a good Qualifying and have a good race and just take it one step at a time. I don’t mind but of course the earlier I can do it, the better.

"At the same time, that doesn’t change how I do anything. I just need to try and win and it’s as simple as that.”

The 26-year-old is within touching distance of his first drivers' title, but he is insistent that his focus is more on extracting the best performance he can across the final two races, even with Piastri and Verstappen close behind.

Although the Red Bull driver was over 100 points adrift of the lead at one point, a run of magnificent form has allowed him to rapidly close the gap, leaving Norris more than aware that anything can still happen.

“Max won last year and I think he won the year before,” the Briton said of previous races in Qatar. “We come in with the same expectations of thinking it’s going to be close. Red Bull over the last six, seven races have been, in general, the best.

“We expect a good battle and we expect it to be tough. I don’t think we come into it expecting anything to be easy. We work hard, we focus on ourselves and the goal is to qualify on pole and win both races.

“We didn’t do a good enough job [in Las Vegas] so it’s quite simple. We accept the mistake but nothing changes. For now, I’m fine and relaxed. I just want to go and drive – especially after last weekend there’s even more desire to just get on track and try and make up for last weekend. I feel ready to try and continue the good run that we’ve had.”