Lando Norris is now facing the genuine threat of becoming the first reigning Formula 1 world champion to finish outside the top five in the drivers' standings since Damon Hill back in the 1997 season.
The British driver's title defence with McLaren has turned into one of the most difficult campaigns in recent history after securing his maiden drivers' crown in the previous year.
He currently sits sixth in the championship standings with 201 points, with only six Grands Prix remaining on the calendar. If current trends continue, he risks repeating the fate of Hill, who dropped to 12th with Arrows in 1997 after leaving Williams.
Despite the slump, a mathematical recovery remains within reach as he sits only 14 points behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fifth and 20 points adrift of Max Verstappen in fourth place.
However, performance limitations within the car package continue to hamper progress, requiring substantial upgrades from the engineering department before the season concludes.
The car's not quick enough and it's too difficult to drive. We're a long way off, he told the media after finishing fourth at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the specific aerodynamic and layout limitations that continue to affect their overall race pace.
You have to always look at the package, you know? I think we know that tracks with long straights, we are not that great. The package is not strong in these circuits, Stella noted regarding the team's ongoing technical struggles.
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