Lando Norris has boldly proclaimed he’s now ready to challenge for Formula 1’s biggest prize, admitting that earlier in the season, he “wasn’t ready” to take on the might of Max Verstappen. After a rollercoaster year, the McLaren star believes he’s finally at the level required to fight for a championship.
“I Wasn’t Ready Before, But I Am Now”
Norris has been Verstappen’s closest competitor during McLaren’s impressive mid-season resurgence, with the Woking-based team leading the Constructors’ Championship. However, missed opportunities, like his mistake-ridden race in Brazil that saw him finish sixth as Verstappen cruised to another victory, have highlighted areas for improvement.
“There were times where, as a team, we didn’t operate as a World Championship-winning team,” Norris said candidly. “And there were times when I didn’t perform at the level I needed to win a championship.
“I probably wasn’t outright ready to go up against Red Bull and Max earlier this season. I think I am now, but it’s probably too late to do that this year.”
“Max Is One of the Best Ever”
Norris, often one to keep things grounded, lavished praise on Verstappen, calling him one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
“I think Max is one of the best drivers we’ve ever seen in Formula 1. And I think it’ll be tough to find someone better than Max in the future,” Norris admitted. “Fighting against someone like that takes more than what I’ve done this season.”
Despite his glowing appraisal of Verstappen, Norris believes his performances after the summer break show he’s evolved into a driver capable of challenging for a title.
“What I’ve done since the summer break is much closer to what I need to be. I think that’s close to being good enough to fight for it next year,” he said with confidence.
Lessons Learned and Eyes on 2025
Reflecting on the 2024 campaign, Norris emphasized the importance of McLaren’s recent progress in giving him a chance to fight at the front.
“For the first time in six years, we’ve had a chance to fight at the front,” Norris said. “This season has been my first opportunity to see where I stand, and I feel like I’ve done some of my best performances since the summer break.
“I’ve been very happy with how the last few months have gone. I wouldn’t change much, but I know I still need to make improvements. I’m not completely satisfied. I have faith now that I have what it takes to fight for a championship.”
The Final Hurdle: Perfection
Norris acknowledges that competing against Verstappen requires near-perfection. “When you’re up against drivers like Max, you have to be close to perfect,” he stated. “But for the first time, I’m confident. I have faith that I’ve got what it takes.”
As Norris gears up for the final races of the season, his confidence and self-belief suggest he’s ready to take the next step. Whether McLaren can continue their meteoric rise and provide him with the tools to dethrone Verstappen in 2025 remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Lando Norris is no longer content with being the “best of the rest.”
