Norris Reflects on Not Being Prepared for Verstappen Title Challenge

McLaren driver Lando Norris stated that he “wasn’t ready” to contend for the championship against Max Verstappen during the current F1 season. This season, Norris has secured three F1 race victories, while Verstappen has achieved eight wins in 2024. To maintain his contention for the drivers’ championship, the British driver must outscore Verstappen by a minimum of three points at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The season concludes with three races, including events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on successive weekends following Las Vegas. Norris commented, stating: “I probably wasn’t outright ready to go up against Red Bull and Max. I think I am now now. But it’s probably too late.” He further added: “Max is one of the best drivers ever in F1. And to go up against that person who is so good takes a bit more than what I have done this season. But since the summer break it is close to what it should be.” Norris indicated that he approaches the Las Vegas event with the understanding that the “door is almost shut” on his championship aspirations. Norris had previously reduced the points deficit from 84 at the season’s midpoint to 47 prior to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix three weeks ago. However, Verstappen increased his advantage to 62 points by securing victory in the wet race after starting 17th on the grid, while Norris concluded the race in sixth position. Verstappen, the Dutch driver, will secure his fourth world title if his lead in the standings is at least 60 points following Saturday’s race, scheduled for 06:00 GMT on Sunday. Nevertheless, Norris expressed that the current season has instilled in him the confidence that he “had what it takes” to achieve a championship victory in the future. Norris stated: “It is the first time we’ve had a chance to fight at the front.” He continued, “We’ve not been able to do that for the past six years, this has been our and my first opportunity.” He acknowledged, “I was definitely not at the level I need to be at the beginning of the year. Since the summer break, I feel I’ve done a very good job and performed very well, by far some of my best performances.” He concluded by saying, “I am not completely happy with what I’ve done but for the first time I feel I have got what it takes to fight for the championship.” He further elaborated: “It doesn’t mean I’m complete and when you are competing against drivers like Max you have to be close to perfect. The main thing I can take away is I have faith I have what it takes to fight for a championship.” Norris acknowledged that both he and his team had committed errors throughout the current year. He remarked: “There have been plenty of of races where we didn’t do as good a job as we we could.” He cited, “Silverstone we could have had a one-two and we didn’t get it.” He added: “There were plenty of times when we have not performed as a championship-winning team, and plenty when I haven’t performed at the level of a championship-winning driver.” Norris disclosed experiencing a “tough time” following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, stemming from the realization that his championship aspirations had diminished. He further stated: “It was a defining moment for the championship. The doors are almost shut.” He explained, “For a week, I was pretty down because I had that realisation that things are pretty much out of my control, and not within reach, and that’s a tough thing.” He concluded by saying, “When your hopes are so high, to get it knocked down, that was pretty demoralising and not the best feeling.”