Lando Norris once again found himself trailing behind Max Verstappen in the F1 2024 season, finishing second in Spain despite a promising start.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has pinpointed Max Verstappen’s ability to drive almost without errors as his key advantage over McLaren’s Lando Norris, who is viewed as Verstappen’s main rival for the 2024 title. Verstappen’s latest triumph at the Spanish Grand Prix marked his seventh victory of the season, as he edged out Norris by a mere two seconds.
Norris, who started on pole, quickly found himself in a challenging position after a poor start saw him fall to third place, trailing Verstappen and George Russell. This wasn’t the first time Norris had to settle for second; the previous race in Canada also saw him miss out on victory due to a poorly timed pit stop under the Safety Car.
Despite these setbacks, Norris has managed to secure five podium finishes across the last six races. This consistent performance has propelled him into second place in the Drivers’ standings, surpassing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. However, he remains 69 points behind Verstappen as they head into the Austrian Grand Prix.
Marko, writing in his Speedweek column, remarked on the distinct contrast between the two drivers, stating that Verstappen once again proved to be the deciding factor for Red Bull in Barcelona. He praised Verstappen’s instinctual reading of the race, which allowed him to achieve victory even without the fastest car.
The post-race cooldown room provided some insight into the tense moments of the race start. Verstappen mentioned to Norris that their initial scramble had slowed both cars down, with Marko criticizing Norris’s defense, saying it was borderline as he pushed Verstappen onto the grass.
Marko acknowledged McLaren’s speed advantage at Barcelona, noting their car’s superior versatility compared to the current state of Red Bull’s. He highlighted McLaren’s consistent pace across various conditions, allowing them to perform well regardless of tire or track challenges.
Lando Norris continues to be a formidable competitor, but the challenge remains to match Verstappen’s level of precision and adaptability on the track. As the season progresses, the rivalry between these two drivers promises to be an exciting one, with Norris striving to overcome the gap and challenge Verstappen’s championship lead.
