Norris would have passed Russell with one more lap

Mercedes believe Lando Norris would have overtaken their driver George Russell with just one more lap in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Due to a lengthy delay, the Monaco Grand Prix began an hour after its scheduled start time which had a knock-on effect to its ending.

After the three hour time limit had been reached, the race ended after only 64 laps of the originally planned 78 and it seems one man who felt the downside of that more than most was Norris.

Having pitted late on for a set of fresh medium tyres, the McLaren driver was hunting Russell for the P5 spot and would finish under three tenths behind his British compatriot.

Mercedes though say that McLaren’s strategy was so effective that had there been just a single lap more, Norris would have likely overtaken Russell.

“One more lap and Lando would have been over. You can’t fight off someone who is four seconds a lap faster. You’re due at the latest when you brake into the harbour chicane because the front tyres had hardly any grip left,” Mercedes said, as reported by Auto Motor und Sport, of Norris who made up 30.9 seconds on Russell in the final 13 laps.

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The reigning Constructors’ Champions admitted they made a mistake in not pitting Russell but were gambling on there