Lando Norris backed for Monaco GP glory as McLaren ace now 'has the best car' in F1

Lando Norris can fight Max Verstappen for victory at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, according to 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell.

The McLaren star claimed his first Grand Prix win in Miami, and finished just 0.7 seconds behind Verstappen in Imola last weekend. “I mean I keep in contact with Zak [Brown] and he agrees

with me that it’s going to be possible to get pole position there,” Mansell told Express Sport.

“Having had pole position there three times myself, and I love Monaco for what it is, you can really… if you’ve got a car underneath you, you can do some special things there.

“And I would think McLaren will be fighting for pole position, as with Red Bull and of course as with Ferrari. Ferrari will do something very special there I’m sure.”

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After tense battles with Verstappen in both Miami and Imola, Norris will have one eye on the championship if McLaren are competitive again in Monaco. There are 60 points separating the pair

with 13 races remaining this season.

Discussing Norris’ title chances, Mansell said: “It’s a long year and it’s a great question because obviously there’s things afoot at Red Bull that we’re not all aware of and obviously

they’re not as dominant as they were.

“I think McLaren have just done an absolutely superb job and Lando’s growing in stature every race. And I mean I have to say, if he’d found only half a second mid part of the race, he would

have won the race on Sunday.

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“That’s how close it is. So it’s very exciting for him and for his team-mate and McLaren to be challenging Red Bull and I actually think they’ve probably got the best car out there at the

moment."

He added: “I wouldn’t say the championship is wide open because Max is doing such a superb job. He qualifies brilliantly, he gets the best out of the car and unless Red Bull drop the ball,

then he’s going to be tough to beat.

“But I don’t think he’s unbeatable this year. I think he can be challenged. Everyone has to have that little bit of luck, and if he doesn’t finish a race or two, it will be very close, very

quickly.”

Nigel Mansell is working with UK Youth to help change the lives of millions of young people. To donate or find out more, click here.

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