F1
Lando Norris 'lost' title 'in first six races' of season
© Joao Filipe / DPPI
The Drivers' Championship is now acquired for Max Verstappen, it's time for the first assessment for the one who was his main rival in the championship, Lando NorrisThe Briton was the only one who could have deprived the Dutchman of a fourth world title before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but his (small) chances vanished when he arrived behind the driver. Red Bull at the finish of the American round, he now has an uncatchable deficit of 63 points. Although disappointed by this missed quest for the title, the Englishman showed himself to be a good sport at the end of the race, going to warmly congratulate his rival and friend who had just been crowned for the fourth time. On the microphone of Sky Sports F1, Lando Norris acknowledged the superiority of his opponent while considering that the delay taken at the start of the season cost him dearly. McLaren.
“I think Max drove too well. Red Bull and their team did too good a job for us. And [the title] was just lost in the first six races, said the Briton. It fluctuated a little bit but we could never recover [the deficit] from there. We fought well and I'm looking forward to being there next year from the start [of the season]. [Verstappen] had an incredible season: when he had the fastest car he dominated and when he didn't he was always there, always on my heels, emphasizes Lando Norris, not resentful despite his defeat. He made my life difficult, he made his life difficult at times, I'm sure, but he had a better season and of course, congratulations to him.
Norris and McLaren "were not ready" to play the title
For the first time in his Formula 1 career, Lando Norris was in contention for the title and was one of the main protagonists of this 2024 championship, with his first three victories. Although he claims to have no regrets, the Briton concedes that he did not think he would be engaged in a duel with Max Verstappen this season, and believes that this opportunity may have come too soon for him and his team. "You have to drive better when you get to this stage and I feel like I have. Since Zandvoort I really feel like I've done an almost perfect job, says McLaren driver. As much as we wanted to believe we were ready, we weren't and we paid a little price for it. But we were also the ones who fought Max, and no one else."
Now beaten for the Drivers' title, Lando Norris will be tasked with securing the Constructors' title for McLaren. The British team has a 24-point lead over Ferrari before the last two meetings of the 2024 season.
ALSO READ > Norris holds no grudge, congratulates Verstappen on his 4th title: "Max simply has no weak points"
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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vincent moyet
25/11/2024 at 07:43 a.m.
I have also been of this opinion for several months. McLaren did not plan to fight for the title and they were caught off guard, there were the hesitations to designate Norris as leader, which also made him lose points. And this same Norris only won his first victory this year, but fighting for a title requires being ready to win in all races, it is another step to take once you have started winning. Now it is a question of not losing motivation and going for this constructors' title, which would already be a great success for a team that has come a long way.
Robery Nizet
25/11/2024 at 01:05 a.m.
Noris didn't lose the title in the first 6 GPs, Verstappen won it at that time. Mac Laren wasn't ready and didn't even consider that possibility.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
25/11/2024 at 12:22 a.m.
Beyond the driving qualities of the Dutchman who performed really well at the wheel of a single-seater that was less dominant than in previous years, it must be said that McLaren's "Diesel" start to the season did not help the troublemaker from Bristol who remains a notch below my best friend!