McLaren and Lando Norris are currently one of the strongest duos on the F1 grid, but Alex Albon is sceptical that the Briton can beat Max Verstappen to the 2024 world title.
Norris currently sits 78 points behind the championship leader with 10 races remaining and needs a significant lead to catch up.
McLaren showed they had the speed and ability to beat Red Bull, but inconsistent performances and strategic mistakes have hampered their title challenge.
As a result, the gap between the two drivers remains significant, but Sergio Perez’s struggles in the second Red Bull car and Oscar Piastri’s strong performance alongside Norris have helped McLaren reduce the gap to just 42 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
Albon doubts Norris can make up for the loss to Verstappen, but the Williams driver believes F1’s constructors’ championship is a realistic target for the Woking-based team.
“I don’t know how much Lando can take from Max,” Albon said. Racing News 365.
“I look at it more like a constructor’s championship than a driver’s championship. What I like to see is that there is just a fight.
“At the top of every race there’s a real fight going on, something seems to be happening.”
Red Bull’s unwavering dominance under F1’s ground effect regulations is being challenged by several teams this season.
Along with McLaren, who have won twice this year, Ferrari have looked competitive in the early part of the season, while a rejuvenated Mercedes team has won three of the four races ahead of the summer break.
Albon admitted it was a refreshing change to see such fierce competition at the top of the grid.
“I think what’s made all the racing happen over the last year, the last few years, has always been the middle-of-the-road competition,” the Williams racer added.
“And now the top teams are actually making fights, which is really cool to see.”
Reflecting on the different pressures Norris and Verstappen faced, Albon said: “What’s interesting is that Max has been in his shoes many times. It’s new for Landau.”
“But yeah, of course I’m busy driving, but at the same time, when the blue flag goes up, I like watching the fight.”
