McLaren has admitted that it was “a little frustrated” that Max Verstappen was able to minimise his points loss to Lando Norris in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Norris produced a dominant showing under the lights as he converted pole position into a third win this season with a 20-second margin to second-place Verstappen.
However, Norris was denied a grand slam and an extra point as a late-stopping Daniel Ricciardo managed to claim the fastest lap on new rubber in the closing stages.
READ MORE: McLaren: F1 not a ‘coalition championship’ as RB help Red Bull in Singapore GP
The Briton relinquishing that bonus point has meant that Verstappen limited the damage to seven points and will go into the remaining six events with a 52-point lead.
Verstappen’s return to the podium came against the pre-weekend estimation that Red Bull’s woes would continue on a track touted to expose the RB20’s weaknesses.
But while McLaren boss Andrea Stella has conceded Norris should be even closer to his rival, McLaren’s pace has heightened the hope that it can clinch a title double.
“From a numerical point of view, it’s a little frustrating because we could have gone away from Singapore having gained more points on Max,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think Ferrari could have finished ahead of Max, I think even Oscar [Piastri], polishing a little bit the qualifying laps, he could have finished ahead of Max.
“But the positives that come from the pace of the car definitely overcome this kind of frustration I think when you have this sort of pace.
“We are heading on to the next six events, three of which are sprint events. So I think it’s definitely not in our hands because it’s still in Max’s hands.
“Likewise, the Constructors’ [Championship], that’s more in our hands, in fairness.
“But I think we go away potentially encouraged and even more optimistic that the Drivers’ Championship is possible because of the performance of the car.”
McLaren’s hopes remain in its own hands
Stella has insisted McLaren must enter each remaining race angling to maximise its prospects with both cars to be able to impose maximum damage on Verstappen.
The Italian has pinpointed that Norris can still overturn the huge margin to the Dutchman provided that he continues to win races and Piastri accompanies him home.
When it was put to him that time could be running out this season to reel in Verstappen’s advantage, Stella replied: “Again, numerically your observation is correct.
“But in terms of controlling the emotional flow, there’s not much you can do if you’re like, ‘oh emotionally I would like to’.
“We just have to go to the next race and maximise the Sprint and maximise the main race, and making sure that both drivers finish ahead of Max.
“And then if we are in condition to bring some upgrades, then this mission will become even easier.
“So I guess it is still in your hands if you get two cars ahead of Max.
“I think we need to recognise that if we maximise the potential of the car now, finishing with two cars ahead of Max is possible. That’s what makes us optimistic.
“But the reality is that as soon as you start a weekend, you are into the groove of a weekend and there’s difficulties in a weekend.
“Like there’s a touch in the walls, there’s so many things that you need to keep in control to actually deliver in a race weekend that the numerical exercise is only valid I think when you are away from weekends. I think as soon as you are in a weekend, just full focus, maximise the potential.”
