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Lando Norris Hits Back at Verstappen’s McLaren Claim: ‘He Should Start Doing Comedy’

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Lando Norris Hits Back at Verstappen’s McLaren Claim: ‘He Should Start Doing Comedy’

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives at the circuit REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Lando Norris has dismissed Max Verstappen’s assertion that he could have clinched his fourth Formula 1 title earlier in 2024 had he been driving a McLaren MCL38 instead of his Red Bull RB20. The bold claim, made by Verstappen after securing the championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, was met with sharp skepticism from Norris, who humorously suggested Verstappen take up stand-up comedy.


Verstappen’s Claim Sparks Debate

Verstappen, who faced a challenging season marked by balance issues with his Red Bull and a 10-race winless streak, praised McLaren’s competitive edge. Speaking to Dutch media, he suggested the McLaren was so strong that he could have secured the championship “a lot sooner” had he been racing in their car.


Norris: ‘It’s Not True’

Norris, who emerged as Verstappen’s closest rival during McLaren’s midseason resurgence, laughed off the claim.
“He should start doing comedy or something,” Norris quipped ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. “He can say whatever he wants. Of course, I completely disagree, as I would. He’s good, but, yeah, it’s not true.”

Norris emphasized McLaren’s challenging start to the season, highlighting the uphill battle they faced compared to Red Bull’s consistency:
“We were the fourth-best team at the beginning of the year. Red Bull have never been the fourth-best team, or worst let’s say, ever.”


Leclerc Weighs In

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc echoed Norris’ skepticism, calling Verstappen’s statement “a stretch.”
“It’s very difficult to say something like that not knowing actually what the car is like,” Leclerc said. “He’s an incredible driver, no doubt, but these are things we can’t really prove.”


A Historic Achievement for Verstappen

Despite the doubts surrounding his claim, Verstappen’s title victory in 2024 is historic. Should Red Bull finish third in the Constructors’ Championship, he would be the first Drivers’ Champion for a team outside the top two since Nelson Piquet achieved the feat with Brabham in 1983.


Norris on Red Bull’s Performance

Norris also addressed Red Bull’s struggles in the Constructors’ standings, pointing out the disparity between Verstappen’s success and Sergio Perez’s underwhelming season.
“Red Bull probably would have won the Constructors’ if they had two drivers as good as Max, that’s for sure. That’s clear. That’s obvious.”

Perez, who sits eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, is 251 points behind Verstappen, fueling speculation about his future with the team.


The Bigger Picture

While Verstappen’s claim adds fuel to the ongoing rivalry between the top teams, it also highlights his confidence and self-belief. For Norris and McLaren, the focus remains on continuing their impressive trajectory heading into 2025, where they aim to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull more consistently.

As the paddock debates Verstappen’s hypothetical dominance in other cars, one thing is certain: his 2024 title run, whether or not aided by McLaren or Ferrari machinery, will be remembered as one of his most hard-fought triumphs.

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