The Japan Times - Norris reassured by pole after Belgian Grand Prix 'worries'

The 25-year-old Briton, who was beaten by series leader Piastri in Friday's sprint qualifying, said it was tough for both McLaren drivers as they battle for supremacy in their intra-team rivalry -- and slug it out for the drivers' world championship.

After 12 of this year's 24 races, Piastri leads with 241 points and five wins ahead of Norris on 232 and four wins. Defending four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull is third on 173 after two Grand Prix wins.

Norris, who is chasing a third consecutive Grand Prix win on Sunday to overhaul the 24-year-old Australian, admitted he was aware that "everyone was worried" after Friday when he was three-tenths slower.

"I wasn't that far off, but there were a couple of little issues and everyone was pretty worried," he said. "But I was confident after yesterday and I was confident coming into today so it's nice to see that I could get back to the top."

Asked where his improvement came from, he said: "Three-tenths is just slipstream and not being the first out of the pit-lane.

"It was nothing to worry about, but people like to make a lot of things up.

"I felt good and the car has been flying all weekend."

Norris has been accused of mental fragility and being over-sensitive to his own high expectations and media criticism.

He said that it was intense and challenging for both McLaren drivers to maintain a strong relationship as team-mates while fighting for the drivers' title.

"Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend and we've been pushing each other a lot," said Norris.

"It's tough because you see where your strengths and weaknesses are clearly -- and then you learn from each other quickly. It's good, but it's a tough battle that we have at the minute."

Piastri agreed that maintaining a balanced approach was difficult.

"We're a good team-mate pairing and we learn a lot from each other each weekend. That's what makes us a good team, but it also makes it difficult to fight each other."

Norris said he wanted Sunday's race to be run in dry conditions, despite forecast heavy rain for the Ardennes.

"I prefer it to stay dry honestly. For the fans! I think it's rained here for the last 10 years or something so it would be nice to have a dry Sunday."

Y.Watanabe--JT