Max Verstappen still believes Lando Norris can still push Oscar Piastri in the Drivers' Championship, despite a disappointing Dutch Grand Prix last weekend.

Formula One title favourite Piastri opened up a 34-point gap at the top of the standings last weekend, winning at Zandvoort from pole position, while Norris was forced to retire with seven laps remaining.

A vehicle malfunction was the reason behind Norris' failure to get over the finish line, having reported an oil leak shortly before he was forced off the track.

The current gap between first and second is the largest that either McLaren driver has held over the other this season, giving Norris a mountain to climb if he wants to get back on top.

Norris had a strong run at the Italian Grand Prix last year, clinching pole position and finishing on the podium at Monza (third, behind Charles Leclerc and Piastri).

Verstappen, who has won each of the last four Drivers' Championships, is not ruling Norris out of a turnaround, though, especially with nine races left in the season.

"[Norris can do it] by not overcomplicating it, not overthinking the situation," Verstappen said.

"Yes, you can be in the lead by 20 points, or behind by 20 points, but there's still a lot of races where you can overturn it.

"It's still all in your own control if you win the championship. So, you just need to be on it every single weekend, but you have to be that anyway, even if you're in the lead of the championship."

RACE WEEK

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Verstappen is third in the standings, and while he is 104 points behind Piastri, the gap to Norris has now closed to 70.

The Dutchman is looking to take two consecutive podiums for the first time this season, but he has only won two of his 10 races at Monza, though both of those victories have come in the last two years (2022 and 2023).

Verstappen is not yet giving up hope of being in the mix of a title fight, noting that one result can change the dynamic at the top.

"For me, it doesn't change anything," he added. "I cannot afford another big mistake or retirement, but that's the same for everyone.

"One retirement and you're close again, so it doesn't really change anything."

DRIVERS TO WATCH

McLaren – Lando Norris

Norris has recorded his nine Formula One victories at different Grands Prix: Miami, the Netherlands, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Monaco, Austria, Great Britain, and Hungary.

He is the driver with the most wins in different races without repeating any of them, and could extend that record if he triumphs in Italy.

A win at Monza would see Norris reach 10 Grands Prix wins with McLaren, which would make him the sixth driver to reach that milestone for the British team.

The 25-year-old is looking to become the first McLaren driver to secure two consecutive poles at the event since Ayrton Senna (four between 1988 and 1991).

Ferrari – Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc won the last Italian Grand Prix; another triumph here would see him become the third Ferrari driver to record back-to-back victories in the team's home race after Phil Hill (1969 and 1961) and Alberto Ascari (1951 and 1952).

Like Norris, Leclerc was forced to retire from the Dutch Grand Prix, though his result came off the back of a collision with Kimi Antonelli.

In 141 races for Ferrari, the Monegasque has never retired in two consecutive races. Furthermore, Italy is the only Grand Prix where he has won more than once (two, in 2019 and 2024).

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers'

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 309

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 275

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 205

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 184

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 151

Constructors'

1. McLaren – 584

2. Ferrari – 260

3. Mercedes – 248

4. Red Bull – 214

5. Williams – 80