By James Broughton, November 21, 2024
Speaking to the media ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lando Norris issued a defiant declaration, claiming he “has what it takes” to become an F1 world champion. However, his recent performances suggest he still has more to learn in sustaining a season-long championship campaign. Norris undoubtedly has the tools to succeed: he is among the fastest drivers on the grid, knows how to win, and currently has the fastest car at his disposal.
Yet, he has not yet managed to piece together the full puzzle required to challenge for a world championship. Standing in his way is a formidable rival, Max Verstappen, who, like him or not, has virtually no weaknesses. Verstappen’s bruising battle with Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 drivers’ championship shaped him into the dominant force he is today, capable of delivering under immense pressure.
Similarly, Norris may use this year as a stepping stone, raising his performance levels next season. However, recent evidence suggests otherwise. Despite driving the fastest car on the grid, Norris was soundly beaten by Verstappen at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Verstappen delivered what many consider the performance of the decade to secure a vital victory.
With three races remaining, Norris still has a mathematical chance of beating Verstappen. However, it seems highly unlikely at this late stage that Verstappen will falter, or that Norris will suddenly display the consistency and championship mettle required to dethrone him.
Addressing the media, Norris elaborated:
“… I have what it takes. I think it’s the first time in the last six years of F1 when we’ve had a chance to fight at the front. This is our, and my, first opportunity to do so, and my first opportunity to see where I stand.”
“I definitely was not at the level I needed to be at at the beginning of the year, even [after beating Verstappen to a maiden win] in Miami. Since the summer break I feel like I’ve done a very good job and performed very, very well – by far some of my best performances that I’ve done.”
“Brazil was almost a defining moment for the championship… It was a defining moment for the championship. The doors are almost shut.”
“For a week I was pretty down, because I had that realisation of things pretty much [being] out of my control now, not within reach necessarily. That’s a tough realisation when your hopes and belief are so high. For it to get knocked down so much all of a sudden was pretty demoralising.
“Brazil was almost a defining moment for the championship… It was a defining moment for the championship. The doors are almost shut.”
“For a week I was pretty down, because I had that realisation of things pretty much [being] out of my control now, not within reach necessarily. That’s a tough realisation when your hopes and belief are so high. For it to get knocked down so much all of a sudden was pretty demoralising.”
