As McLaren’s Lando Norris wraps up one of the best seasons of his career, former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner and British racing veteran David Coulthard have weighed in on the young driver’s missed opportunities. Despite Norris’s impressive numbers in 2024 — three wins and twelve podiums — he has been criticized for his struggles to convert pole positions into victories, especially after a sixth-place finish from pole at the Brazilian GP.
Lando Norris has undoubtedly played a vital role in McLaren’s title chase, showing his prowess with consistent top finishes. But his inability to capitalize on pole starts has drawn Steiner’s criticism. “In theory, Lando should win the races,” Steiner said. “He should nail the start. If he would have nailed every start — if, there’s a big if in there — then he’d be the champion.” Steiner had initially believed McLaren’s strong MCL38 would make up for Norris’s shaky starts, but he admits the car alone couldn’t bridge the gap.
Norris currently trails the Drivers’ Championship leader by 62 points heading into the Las Vegas GP, making it unlikely he’ll catch up in the final three races. But he’s expected to give his all for McLaren as he aims to end the season on a high note.
David Coulthard, former British F1 driver, chimed in with advice on adopting a winning mentality. He highlighted the unwavering focus of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who charged from 17th to win in Brazil, as a model for Norris to emulate. “Lando is fighting Max, and Max does not care about anything other than trying to win — you must have that same attitude,” Coulthard explained.
This season, Norris and Verstappen have engaged in thrilling battles that have captivated fans. Coulthard believes Norris has the skill to go toe-to-toe with the reigning champion but insists that the young driver needs to develop Verstappen’s uncompromising approach. “McLaren will be a much stronger overall competitor next year,” he said, “and Lando has what it takes, but he needs that same intensity and focus as Max.”
The McLaren ace’s performance has sparked a new level of excitement in Formula 1, with fans eagerly watching his battles against Verstappen. Despite the criticism, both Steiner and Coulthard agree that Norris has immense potential. Whether he can rise to the challenge and close the gap to Verstappen in 2025 is something that F1 fans — and his critics — are eager to see.
