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<\/p>\nFormula One\u00a0star Lando Norris believes\u00a0McLaren will be “favourites for victory next year” following a resurgent run of performances. The British driver has reaffirmed his confidence in the team after some recent impressive finishes, but believes the team will only be able to compete at the highest level\u00a0if they continue to develop their car.<\/p>\n
Norris has endured a tumultuous\u00a0season with McLaren. The Brit only managed to claim his first podium finish in July at the\u00a0British GP, where he finished second behind reigning\u00a0World Champion Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old has since maintained some consistency with four more podium finishes, taking him up to seventh in this season’s standings. Just nine points behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Norris could be on for his highest finish yet – a sixth-place finish in the 2021 season – with just five races remaining.<\/p>\n
But despite his uptake in form, Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri\u00a0are still far behind their competitors – with Red Bull as dominant as ever. However, he does believe that next season could tell a different story if his car sees some more improvements.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf we have a strong start to the season in 2024 and continue to develop our car, I think we can occasionally be the favourites for victory next year,” he said in an interview with\u00a0RacingNews365. “This means that from mid-season or towards the end of next year we will be on some circuits can enter the race as favourites.”<\/p>\n
The changes to Norris’ car have come at an ideal time and are clearly proving fruitful with the British driver earning 51 points in his last three races.<\/p>\n
Despite his confidence in the McLaren team’s abilities, Norris still believes that Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez must be considered as the biggest threat to their success. “However, this is not possible at every circuit, as Red Bull still competes at a different level than all other teams,” he added.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “They can perform well on any circuit, while that is not the case with us. We have some circuits where we do very well, such as Silverstone for example, but on other circuits we have a very difficult time. We have to try to improve in terms of consistency.<\/p>\n “Just look at Mercedes, in my opinion they are the most consistent team of 2023 after Red Bull. It may not always look that way, but they have never been very slow. During the season they are actually always faster than McLaren. That is why Mercedes still remains the second team for me, but we are currently making steps that will bring us closer to them.<\/p>\n “In my opinion, we are not yet the second team, but I think we have it in us to become it next year.”<\/p>\n Norris will next be in action at the United States Grand Prix this Sunday at the\u00a0Circuit of the Americas\u00a0track in Texas.<\/p>\n
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