Norris nears fitness in surprise Mercedes fight

Monaco Grand Prix

Norris nears fitness in surprise Mercedes fight

Norris again battled illness to go fifth fastest on Friday

Sam Hall

Friday 27 May 2022 21:00

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Lando Norris has revealed his illness is "99 per cent gone" after finishing Friday the best of the rest around Monaco.

The McLaren driver suffered miserably across last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix with tonsillitis but delivered a stunning performance to finish eighth.

Still feeling the effects on Friday, Norris was granted a medical exemption from his morning media duties in the principality as McLaren focused on ensuring he was in the "best possible condition to drive".

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Asked how he was feeling after two hours of on-track action at the end of which he was fifth quickest behind both Ferraris and Red Bulls, Norris said: "[I'm] almost there.

"I'm not 100 per cent still but I can't describe how much better I am than this time last week.

"It's 99 per cent gone. I'm still struggling a bit with my throat with coughs and stuff like that but the main part of my fever is gone.

"I'm in a much better condition. I can enjoy it a bit more and I can concentrate when I'm driving and so on.

"It has been a decent first day in Monaco so I'm reasonably happy."