KEY OPINION: Lewis Hamilton Believes Lando Norris Can Challenge Max Verstappen’s Reign But Cautions…….Read more
Lewis Hamilton Believes Lando Norris Can Challenge Max Verstappen’s Reign, But Cautions Luck Will Be Needed
As the 2024 Formula 1 season approaches its climax, Lewis Hamilton has weighed in on the title race, expressing optimism about Lando Norris’s chances of ending Max Verstappen’s dominant run. However, the seven-time World Champion also acknowledged that Norris would need a stroke of luck to overcome his significant points deficit.
Verstappen, who has been a commanding force throughout the season, currently holds a 70-point lead over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship. While this gap may seem insurmountable, Hamilton believes it’s “not impossible” for the young McLaren driver to turn the tables, especially given the unpredictable nature of Formula 1.
“There’s a lot of points on the table, so I think it’s not impossible,” Hamilton said in the build-up to the Italian Grand Prix. He noted that Verstappen’s consistency is a key factor, saying, “I think ultimately Max probably only needs to finish second every race to win at this point, and he [Norris] would have to win every single race and that still wouldn’t be enough. So there’ll need to be some fortune in it.”
Hamilton’s assessment comes at a time when McLaren has significantly closed the gap to Red Bull in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. After a slow start to the season, McLaren has been resurgent, thanks to a series of successful in-season upgrades that have made them serious contenders. The Woking-based team now trails Red Bull by just 30 points in the Constructors’ standings, with nine races remaining.
This season has seen a dramatic shift in momentum. Red Bull dominated the early part of the year, with Verstappen racking up victories and solidifying his position at the top. However, McLaren’s recent surge, spearheaded by Norris, has brought new excitement to the championship battle. Norris’s maiden Formula 1 win in Miami marked a turning point, and since then, he has been consistently challenging Verstappen’s supremacy.
The last ten races have seen an intense battle between the two young drivers, with Verstappen outscoring Norris in six of them. However, Norris has gained ground in recent races, particularly with impressive performances at the Hungarian Grand Prix and Zandvoort, where he took significant points off Verstappen. His 23-second victory over Verstappen in Zandvoort was a statement of intent, demonstrating that Norris and McLaren are genuine threats.
Hamilton, who has experienced his fair share of title battles, knows the importance of maintaining pressure. He hopes the Drivers’ Championship will be a closely contested affair right until the final race. “I do think, and what’s really exciting, I think there’s a real chance that McLaren could win the Constructors’ title,” he added, reflecting on McLaren’s potential to topple Red Bull in the team standings.
For McLaren, the prospect of winning the Constructors’ Championship would be a remarkable achievement. The team has not lifted the trophy since 1998, and while they were poised to claim the title in 2007, they were stripped of it due to the infamous Spygate scandal. This year, however, they have a legitimate shot at redemption, thanks to their rapid progress and Norris’s stellar performances.
Hamilton’s comments underscore the unpredictability of Formula 1, where even a seemingly insurmountable lead can be challenged under the right circumstances. While Verstappen remains the favorite to secure his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Norris’s recent form has injected fresh excitement into the title race.
As the season heads into its final stages, all eyes will be on the young Briton and whether he can sustain his momentum. For now, Hamilton’s verdict offers a glimmer of hope to McLaren fans, but also a reminder that in motorsport, fortune can play a decisive role.
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