BREAKING NEWS: Hamilton delivers ‘f…’ verdict on Norris-Verstappen title…read more.
Hamilton delivers ‘f…’ verdict on Norris-Verstappen title…read more.
Lewis Hamilton believes Lando Norris will need some luck to mount a serious challenge against Max Verstappen in this year’s Formula 1 title race. Despite Norris cutting the gap to Verstappen to 70 points after his impressive win in the Netherlands and securing the fastest lap, the road ahead remains challenging with nine races and three sprint events left in the season.
Norris had a 78-point deficit going into the summer break after the Belgian Grand Prix but managed to reduce that by eight points following his strong performance at Zandvoort. This swing in fortunes has sparked speculation that Norris could continue to close in on Verstappen, especially with McLaren’s recent performance improvements putting them in closer competition with Red Bull.
However, even Verstappen acknowledges that Norris would need to be “perfect” for the rest of the season to have a realistic chance of denying him his fourth consecutive drivers’ title. For Norris, overturning the points gap would set a new F1 record, surpassing Verstappen’s own comeback in 2022 when he overcame a 46-point deficit to beat Charles Leclerc and claim the championship. That remains the largest gap a driver has overcome under the current points system, introduced in 2010.
Hamilton, reflecting on Norris’ chances, pointed out that while mathematically possible, it would require a lot of factors to go in Norris’ favor. “There are a lot of points still available, so it’s not impossible,” said Hamilton. “But ultimately, Max probably only needs to finish second in every race to secure the title. Lando would have to win every race, and even then, it might not be enough, so there will have to be some fortune involved.”
Hamilton, a former McLaren driver, naturally has a soft spot for his old team and would love to see them succeed. McLaren, who last won the constructors’ title in 1998, have endured a long wait for a return to the top, though they technically clinched the 2007 championship only to have it stripped away due to the ‘spygate’ controversy. Now, with McLaren only 30 points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, there’s genuine optimism that the Woking-based team could finally end their 26-year title drought.
Hamilton remains excited about McLaren’s potential, not only for what it could mean for the team but also for Formula 1 as a whole. “What’s really exciting is that there’s a real chance McLaren could win the constructors’ title this year,” Hamilton remarked. “I was part of the team when we last won it. Even though it was taken away from us, we had the performance to win that year. It would be incredible to see them back at the top, not just for the team but for the sport as well.”
Hamilton hopes the championship battle will go down to the wire, providing fans with a thrilling conclusion to the season. “With the performance McLaren showed last weekend at Zandvoort, maybe they could do it,” he said optimistically.
McLaren’s resurgence has undoubtedly shaken up the championship race, and while Verstappen remains in the driver’s seat, the unpredictable nature of the sport leaves the door slightly ajar for Norris and his team to make history. If Norris can maintain his recent form and capitalize on any mistakes from Verstappen, the season could end with a dramatic showdown.
For now, the focus will be on maintaining momentum. Norris will need to continue delivering flawless performances while hoping for a dip in Verstappen’s seemingly unstoppable run. As Hamilton suggested, luck will likely play a significant role in how the remainder of the season unfolds. But if McLaren’s current trajectory holds, the final few races could bring some unexpected twists and turns in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
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