Lando Norris learns from the 2024 season

« I've got what it takes », Lando Norris explained at a press conference in Las Vegas, what he learned in 2024, after a « difficult achievement » in the battle for the title with Max Verstappen.

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Lando Norris admitted that the days following the São Paulo Grand Prix were quite demoralizing. Max Verstappen gained valuable points after his victory in Brazil, while the British driver finished in 6th place after missing out on his race. The McLaren driver is still drawing positive lessons from his title battle in 2024.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull had started the season as they had finished the previous year, with a marked domination. But Lando Norris and McLaren have become a real threat thanks to a series of effective developments brought by the Woking team.

During the weekend in Brazil, Lando Norris closed the gap on Max Verstappen to 44 points by winning the Sprint race, before the margin widened again to 62 points after the Dutchman’s victory in the Grand Prix, held in wet and challenging conditions.

I would not change much about what happened.

While Max Verstappen is now the top favorite to clinch a fourth world title, Lando Norris was questioned before the Las Vegas weekend on the lessons learned this year to approach 2025.

“I have what it takes,” replied the Briton. “I think it’s the first time in six years of F1 that we had a chance to fight at the front. It’s our, and my, first opportunity to do so, and my first chance to see where I stand. I clearly wasn’t at the necessary level at the start of the year, even [after beating Verstappen for a first win in Miami]. Since the summer break, I think I’ve done a very good job and achieved very solid performances, far among the best I’ve done.”

« I am very satisfied with how the last few months have gone, honestly. I wouldn’t change much about what happened. I still need to make adjustments and improve, that’s obvious. I am not entirely satisfied with my season, and I know I still have to make progress.

« But, for the first time, I am confident to say that I have what it takes to fight for a championship. This does not mean that I am complete, nor perfect. When facing drivers close to perfection, like Max, you have to be almost perfect to challenge.»

Brazil, a decisive moment

Reflecting on his feelings after Brazil, Lando Norris added: “It was almost a decisive moment for the championship. It was a decisive moment. The doors are almost closed.”

During one week, I was feeling quite down, as I realized that things were mostly out of my control now, no longer within my reach. It’s a hard realization when you have had so much hope and belief. To suddenly feel so down in this way is quite demoralizing.

« But we learn to accept that it’s life. I admitted in Miami that I was lucky to win with the safety car, and that’s the strategy we play. I think Brazil involved even more luck, but it’s F1, it’s racing. I am not complaining. »

If it’s not this time, the McLaren driver will surely be able to fight again for the title next season if the car continues to be as competitive.

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In addition to fighting for the drivers’ title, McLaren is also in the running for a first constructors’ title since the 1998 season. The team is 36 points ahead of Ferrari and 13 points ahead of Red Bull with three races to go, putting them in a good position to clinch it.

Ferrari has been strong for a while, declared Norris. They have two very good drivers, a very good team, and they have clearly improved their car by finding a better direction.

« They have probably become, with us, sometimes a little better, sometimes a little behind, sometimes at the same level, as competitors. Maybe the momentum is a bit with them, but we are close. Red Bull is also close. »

« It’s mostly a matter of who can deliver a better performance over a weekend. We know that Las Vegas is probably a track that will suit Ferrari a little better. It suited them well last year. But for Qatar, we know that it could be more favorable for us.

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