Verstappen welcomes Monaco challenge from Norris, resurgent McLaren

MONACO: Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen welcomes McLaren s surge in form ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. He only just held off Lando...

MONACO: Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen welcomes McLaren's surge in form ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

He only just held off Lando Norris last Sunday to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, beating the McLaren driver by .725 seconds. It was far removed from the crushing winning margins Verstappen enjoyed with Red Bull last year in a season of record dominance.

"It’s good for the sport that more teams are fighting for the win,” Verstappen said on Thursday at the Monaco GP. "For sure, things have (tightened) up which, from our side, makes it important to be at our very best.”

Although Verstappen took pole position at Emilia Romagna, he was pushed hard in qualifying by McLaren with Oscar Piastri starting second on the grid and Norris third.

Norris is on a roll with three straight podium finishes, including a victory in Miami on May 5. It has offered fans the hope of a closer championship and given Norris the belief he can be a genuine title contender.