As for his own performance this year, Norris says he has been “very happy”. He’s one point behind Piastri in the championship, but then he’s had three retirements to the Australian’s two.
In qualifying, the fight is as close as ever, but Norris is currently leading their head-to-head 7-4, and is ahead on pace by just 0.022secs.
“My performances this year have been, on average, better than last season,” he says. “I still find it a very complicated car to drive and difficult to understand session in, session out. Like, what is needed every single track, corner, set-up, what is needed to really get everything out of this car.
“So, we’re still struggling as a pair of drivers to understand that completely. But I feel like I’ve had a better start to the year than last year.
“Last year, that meant, you know, probably winning, like, leading the championship or not. This year, it means being within 80 to 100 points, you know?
Interestingly, there are parallels between Norris’ season last year, and fellow Briton George Russell’s in his own title fight with team-mate Antonelli this.
Like Norris, Russell won the opening race in Australia. Like Norris, Russell then went through a tricky patch, where his team-mate took a commanding lead.
The pair get on well – as do most of the generation of drivers who came up through the ranks at the same time – but Norris says they have not discussed this coincidence.
“Me and George are quite different in terms of personalities,” Norris says. “Yeah, he’s often more sneaky with things. I think I’m more just open with things.
“Kimi’s been doing a very good job. You also just have to give ‘hats off’ to your team-mate when he’s doing a good job.
“Oscar did an amazing job at times last year when he was beating me. I was like, ‘I’ve done a bad job and he’s doing a good job.’ I’m not afraid to say when someone’s doing a good job.
“Kimi’s been doing an incredible job this season. You know, at 19 years old, second year in Formula 1, it’s impressive what he’s doing. He’s also in Formula 1 for a reason, so I don’t think it should be a surprise.
“He’s going up against George and George is obviously having some ups and downs – he’s certainly had more problems and issues and setbacks than Kimi’s had. It’s hard to overcome them at times, especially when you feel like you’re on for a win or a pole or whatever it might have been.
“But he’s a smart person. I think he understands what is needed personally from his own side. And therefore, I’m confident that he can bounce back when he needs to.”
