Norris insists Red Bull will not be forgotten in the F1 title fight

Lando Norris has identified Ferrari as McLaren's “bigger rival” in the F1 constructors' championship this year, although he doesn't discount Red Bull.

McLaren has a 40-point lead over Red Bull after the US Grand Prix, while Ferrari is just eight points behind in second place.

Ferrari have shown strong form of late, taking victory in Austin last time out through Charles Leclerc, with Carlos Sainz crossing the finish line in second place.

Norris sees the Maranello-based team as a greater threat, with both Leclerc and Sainz consistently at the front while Red Bull relies on Max Verstappen.

“I’ve been saying that for a long time,” Norris told the media RacingNews365. “I think almost since Miami I've been saying that Ferrari would be a bigger competitor for us.

“Mainly because there were only two cars racing against each other up there [at the front] and they fought well, they were always there or near. They now appear to be our closest competitors.

“But people think too much that Red Bull is still out of the question and I still say it's pretty stupid to think that.”

Ferrari is a bigger threat

Things have changed quickly in Formula 1 this season, with increases and decreases in performance often occurring when an upgrade is introduced.

With Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari introducing upgrades in the next few races, there is a possibility that the pecking order will change.

For now, however, Norris is keeping a close eye on Ferrari, but admits that Red Bull must not be forgotten.

“You don't have to be smart, but if you just use common sense and look at things you would say: yes, Ferrari seems to be the bigger competitor for us at the moment, but that can easily change,” Norris added .

“But for now and from what we have seen in the last three, four, five races, Ferrari seems to be competitive.”

“At the moment I would say that Ferrari seems to be bigger competition than Red Bull. But that doesn't mean we are ruling out Red Bull at all.”