The main topic of conversation in F1 this past few weeks has been the Championship battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Back at Austin, Max Verstappen extended his lead in the Championship to 57 points. This has made it even more difficult for Lando to catch up with just another 5 race weekends to go. But now, Lando has made a shocking admission.
This weekend, the drivers are in Mexico for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Although Max did extend his Championship lead from Norris last weekend, there are many who feel that the McLaren driver still has a shot at dethroning Verstappen. But Norris thinks he needs to develop more as a driver.
Lando Norris says he is not at Max Verstappen’s level
Ahead of the Mexican GP, Lando Norris spoke to the media regarding his last battle with Verstappen at Austin.
“Max is the best in the world in that style of defence and attack, and I’m going up against the best in the world so, therefore, I need to be at his level, and I’m not quite at his level.
“Which is a shame to say but is probably the truth, but it’s an experience for me and I can learn and get better. I want to be the one that comes out on top, I believe I rightfully was but the penalty changed everything.”
Although Lando Norris may not be at the same level as Max Verstappen yet, there is no doubt that he will develop over time. In the past 10 years, there are few drivers who have come through with that “something special” in them. Lando Norris is definitely one of them.
Norris won’t be happy until he beats Max Verstappen
While Lando did admit that Verstappen is more experienced and developed as a driver than him, he said that he will not give up until he beats the Dutch driver.
“I’m trying to beat Max, he’s raced against Lewis for championships in these environments that build pressure, more than I have. But I’m learning and I’m doing the best I can, but I want to win, I want to be successful and I want to beat Max so I won’t be happy until I do that.”
🏆| The drivers championship is getting ever more interesting!
Norris may have lost points to Verstappen this weekend but Leclerc’s victory at Austin means he is still in this race!#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/V43H5YBEOu
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 22, 2024
Max Verstappen has been in this sport since 2015. Since then, he has won 3 Championships and could win another one this year. He won his first Championship by beating 7-time champion, Lewis Hamilton in 2021. There is no doubt that Verstappen has gained a lot of experience in the past 9 years.
Norris on the other hand came into the sport only in 2019. While Verstappen has had a race-winning car since 2016, the McLaren has only been capable of winning races this year. So it’s safe to say that Norris still has a lot to learn as a driver before being able to challenge Verstappen without having a points advantage over him.
Even if Norris is not able to beat Max this year, he will try again next year, the year after that, and so on. Do you think Lando Norris can beat Max Verstappen this year or the next year? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
