Lando Norris has made it clear that the Formula 1 drivers' championship is far from being a two-man race. Despite being locked in a tight battle with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris believes that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari remain serious threats to the title.

Norris, who is currently three points behind Piastri in the standings, emphasized the competitive nature of the championship. “Mathematically, the whole grid can still win the championship. There are plenty of opportunities,” he said during a press conference at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

With eight races completed out of 24, McLaren has been dominant this season, winning six times—four victories for Piastri and two for Norris. However, Verstappen, the four-time world champion, has also shown his prowess with two wins and remains a formidable contender, sitting 25 points behind Piastri.

“Max has been on the podium several times, he’s won races, and he beat us fair and square in Imola because he was quicker. I don’t know why anyone would think it’s just between us [McLaren drivers],” Norris added.

Ferrari, too, is expected to improve as the season progresses, according to Norris. The Scuderia has been hinting at a potential game-changer with their front wing development, which could shake things up in the latter half of the championship.

As the Formula 1 circus heads to Spain, the focus will also be on a new front wing rule change. The FIA has introduced stricter stiffness tests, but McLaren has stated that they do not expect to be significantly affected. Other teams, including Ferrari, are adopting a cautious approach, with some suggesting the new regulations could be a turning point.

Norris, who narrowly lost the lead to Piastri earlier in the season, remains focused on the task at hand. “It’s a great feeling to be in the lead of the championship, but it doesn’t change how hard I work or what I try to achieve. I just try to win each weekend,” he said.

The Spanish Grand Prix, set to take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, will be a crucial race for both McLaren and their rivals. Verstappen has a strong track record in Spain, having won four times, including a victory in 2016 that marked his first Formula 1 win. The Dutchman has been on the podium in Spain seven times in a row, making him a favorite for this weekend’s race.

With the championship battle heating up, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, and Ferrari are all determined to make their mark. As Norris aptly put it, “There are tweaks here and there, but nothing that will change how we have to do it.”