The Japan Times - Norris sees others closing gap with dominant McLaren

McLaren have swept all before them this season, a dominant 299 points ahead of closest rivals Ferrari, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri clear favourites to take the individual title.

"Of course, we as a team (have) been strong this year. But I feel like other people have caught up a little bit the last couple of races," Norris told reporters.

"I don't expect to win by 20 seconds or something," added the 25-year-old, quipping however that he would "love it if that were the case".

He said McLaren were going into every race hoping to wrap up the top two positions but were careful to guard against complacency.

"I don't think we expect any race to go easily now... I don't think we ever get complacent and think it's going to be an easy one," he stressed.

He predicted a "long, tricky, challenging second half of the season" with 10 races to go.

One of the key factors in this year's Formula One run-in will be the extent to which McLaren allow their two drivers to race competitively for the title.

Norris said both drivers were still free to choose their own strategies and race fairly -- what McLaren calls "papaya rules" after the team colours.

As for championship leader Piastri, the Australian said he was steeling for a fierce climax to the season.

"The intensity will kind of naturally increase as we get close to the end of the year and I'm ready for that," said the 24-year-old.

The current world champion, Dutch driver Max Verstappen, goes into his home Grand Prix in an unfamiliar position -- he is not the favourite.

While the hoardes of orange-clad fans will be hoping Max can pull off a miracle, his Red Bull is unlikely to have the pace to challenge the McLarens.

However, the famously changeable weather at the Zandvoort circuit -- just a stone's thrown from the North Sea -- is poised to play a role again.

Rain is forecast for all three days of the weekend and Verstappen is known for his skill at wet-weather racing.

"There might be some weather coming in as well. So that always creates a bit of chaos, so we just need to see what happens," said Verstappen.

Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers' championship, 97 points behind pace-setter Piastri, but insisted the situation was not getting to him.

"It doesn't make sense for me to be frustrated or be screaming about it, because it's just a waste of energy," said Verstappen.

T.Ikeda--JT