As the Formula 1 2024 drivers’ championship battle heats up, Lando Norris faces a stark critique of his “killer instinct” on the track—a trait that experts say sets the best drivers apart. According to an F1 analyst, Norris still lacks the “ruthless” mentality of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a mindset essential for winning championships. While the 24-year-old McLaren driver has undeniable speed, his approach to overtaking and track battles leaves some questioning his readiness to fight for the title.
The criticism comes after Norris was penalized in Austin, Texas, for overtaking Verstappen beyond track limits, a five-second penalty that demoted him from third to fourth. The incident has sparked a fierce debate in the F1 community, with former drivers like Martin Brundle and Jenson Button calling for an overhaul of the FIA’s overtaking regulations. Despite the McLaren’s blistering pace, it seems Norris may lack the unyielding approach that defines championship-winning drivers like Verstappen.
“Max is ruthless. The best drivers—they’re ruthless, they’re winners,” noted F1 expert Gianni Schiavone. He pointed to a recent incident in Hungary as a telling example: Norris hesitated to pass teammate Oscar Piastri when instructed. “If Norris wants to be ruthless, he has to say, ‘Sorry, I’m winning,’” Schiavone argued. “This hesitation tells me his mentality isn’t quite there yet.” Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, a known critic, echoed this sentiment, suggesting Norris lacks the mental toughness for a title battle, especially against Verstappen’s formidable tactics.
Schiavone also highlighted Verstappen’s aggressive racecraft, honed in battles with Hamilton in 2021, as evidence of his tactical brilliance. “Verstappen knows he’s ahead in the championship; he can push the risk, make others pull out. He’s willing to go to the edge because, if there’s a crash, he’s still in the stronger position.” It’s this unrelenting approach that gives Verstappen an edge, Schiavone argues, while Norris is still playing catch-up mentally.
McLaren’s strategy has also come under fire, with experts urging the team and Norris to leave nothing open to interpretation if they’re to take on Verstappen and Red Bull effectively. Despite the FIA’s clear standards on safe overtaking, ambiguity remains in how penalties are applied. Brundle underscored this inconsistency, pointing out that while George Russell was penalized for pushing Valtteri Bottas wide, Verstappen faced no punishment in Austin, calling the FIA’s regulations a “blueprint to dissuade overtaking.”
As for Norris, he admitted to driving “like a muppet” after the Austin race—a self-assessment that speaks to his internal struggles. Schiavone advises that Norris embrace patience and composure, trusting his car’s superior speed to secure overtakes. “He was faster and would’ve gotten past Max anyway. He just needed to hold back a bit,” Schiavone concluded.
In the relentless world of F1, Norris’s skill is unquestionable, but if he’s to emerge as a championship contender, he may need to channel the steely resolve that drivers like Verstappen and Hamilton possess. The road to the 2024 title demands more than speed; it requires a mindset that’s willing to challenge even the sport’s fiercest competitors head-on.
