LANDO HOPE
Mansell eyes Brit glory on Monte Carlo streets
NIGEL MANSELL is backing Lando Norris to carry his sparkling form on to the unforgiving streets of Monaco this weekend.
And the 1992 world champion is confident that Norris’ pace will ensure Max Verstappen’s bid for a fourth straight title is no walkover.
The McLaren driver claimed his first grand prix win in Miami and finished just 0.7secs behind the Red Bull driver in Imola last time out.
Landing pole position in Monte Carlo will be vital to Norris’ hopes of bagging a second win of the season.
But Mansell revealed there is plenty of confidence in the McLaren camp that his fellow Brit can pull it off.
“I keep in contact with Zak Brown (the McLaren team principal) and he agrees with me that it’s going to be possible to get pole position there,” said Mansell.
“Having had pole position there three times myself, if you’ve got a car underneath you, you can do some special things there.”
Norris can start thinking of mounting a championship challenge if McLaren are competitive again in Monaco. There are 60 points separating the 24-year-old and Verstappen, with 13 races remaining this season.
Assessing Norris’ chances of bridging that gap, Mansell added: “It’s a long year and it’s a great question, because obviously there’s things afoot at Red Bull and they’re not as dominant as they were.
“McLaren have just done an absolutely superb job and Lando’s growing in stature every race.
“It’s very exciting for him and McLaren to be challenging Red Bull and I think they’ve probably got the best car out there at the moment.
“I wouldn’t say the championship is wide open, because Max is doing such a superb job.
“But I don’t think he’s unbeatable this year. I think he can be challenged.”
■ NIGEL MANSELL is working with UK Youth to change the lives of millions of young people. To donate or find out more, visit ukyouth.org