Lando Norris is eyeing potential opportunities in the F1 championship race, even with Max Verstappen’s impressive record.
In the 2024 F1 season, the competition at the front of the pack is tighter than ever, with Lando Norris feeling optimistic about his chances. Despite Max Verstappen’s dominance, Norris believes the closer races this year could lead to significant shifts in points. Recently, Norris claimed his first Grand Prix win in Miami and closely trailed Verstappen at Imola. However, a less-than-ideal strategy in Montreal saw him miss out on another victory, though he’s still hopeful of putting pressure on Verstappen for the title.
Although Red Bull isn’t as dominant with their new car, Verstappen has faced more challenges in the first third of this year than the entire previous season. Issues in Australia led to a retirement, and Red Bull struggled in Monaco, resulting in a sixth-place finish for Verstappen. However, they bounced back in Montreal. The field is very close, with Mercedes’ George Russell securing pole position in Montreal by matching Verstappen’s lap time. Teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren appear to be evenly matched, although Red Bull might still have a slight edge on tracks that suit their car’s strengths. This close competition could make the championship battle more unpredictable.
Norris expressed, “I think it’s tough,” highlighting the increased chances due to Mercedes’ involvement. He emphasized the potential for bigger swings in points if Verstappen has a less than stellar weekend. Norris also noted that a championship push would require near-perfect performance from any contender, since Verstappen shows no overt weaknesses. “Max’s bad weekend is still a good amount of points,” he stated, acknowledging Verstappen’s consistency across all areas. However, Norris mentioned that pressure could lead to mistakes, possibly leveling the playing field.
Norris also discussed McLaren’s performance improvements over the past year, identifying the narrowing gap with Red Bull. While acknowledging the slight advantage Red Bull holds in operational sharpness, Norris remains optimistic. “It’s not a huge amount,” he said regarding the gap, explaining that it’s about small decision-making differences and understanding. The variety of factors, like weather changes in Montreal, can affect outcomes, and Norris believes that McLaren could capitalize on such situations better than they have in the past. He reflected on the importance of seizing opportunities when Red Bull has an off day, aiming to lead the charge when they’re at a disadvantage.
While Max Verstappen remains a formidable opponent, Lando Norris is hopeful about his championship chances, thanks to a more competitive field and strategic opportunities.
