Just In: Lando Norris told exactly when he lost title to Max Verstappen as major errors ex…read more
Lando Norris told exactly when he lost title to Max Verstappen as major errors ex…read more
As the 2024 F1 season approaches its climax, Lando Norris enters the Las Vegas Grand Prix with his title aspirations on life support. Max Verstappen, leading the championship by a commanding 62 points, only needs to maintain a 60-point advantage by the end of the weekend to secure his fourth consecutive World Championship.
For Norris, the season has been a breakthrough year, marked by three victories and an impressive seven pole positions. Yet, the 25-year-old McLaren driver faces the possibility of finishing the season in Abu Dhabi with a bittersweet sense of what might have been. Despite showing immense potential, Norris will reflect on key missed opportunities that cost him a realistic shot at dethroning Verstappen.
While the Brazilian Grand Prix stands out as the decisive turning point in the title fight, Norris’ campaign was marred by pivotal moments earlier in the season. Verstappen claimed maximum points in São Paulo while Norris could only manage a sixth-place finish. Reflecting on the broader season, former F1 driver Karun Chandhok highlighted errors in wheel-to-wheel battles as crucial setbacks in Norris’ title bid.
“Lando is unbelievably fast,” Chandhok stated in an interview with Express Sport, partnered with Betway. “You can see it from the number of pole positions he’s achieved. But there have been several races where his wheel-to-wheel racing decisions let him down. Two standouts are Austria and Austin, Texas.”
Chandhok pointed to the Austrian Grand Prix, where Norris was in a strong position to challenge Verstappen for victory but ultimately lost out in a close battle. “I’m not saying Max was completely in the right during their tussle in Austria,” Chandhok noted. “But Lando could have handled the situation differently. He needed to better anticipate Max’s moves and adapt accordingly.”
Similarly, in Austin, Norris missed another chance to capitalize on his pace. Chandhok emphasized that knowing how to manage aggressive rivals like Verstappen is an essential skill for title contenders. “It’s not just about raw speed; it’s about understanding your opponent’s style and playing the long game,” he explained.
Despite the frustrations, Norris’ 2024 campaign underscores his growth as a driver and cements his position as a future World Champion contender. While Verstappen’s dominance remains a steep hurdle, Norris has shown he has the pace and potential to challenge for the title in years to come, provided he learns from his experiences this season.
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