Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has slammed Lando Norris for what he described as a “naive” approach to the 2024 Formula 1 championship battle against Max Verstappen, suggesting the McLaren driver failed to capitalize on critical opportunities. Steiner believes Norris’ lack of cutthroat racing tactics and occasional missteps cost him a genuine shot at his maiden drivers’ title.
The Championship Battle: Norris vs. Verstappen
Midway through the 2024 season, Lando Norris found himself in an unprecedented position: a legitimate contender to dethrone four-time champion Max Verstappen. While Verstappen dominated the first half of the season with seven victories, Red Bull began faltering as the championship wore on, opening the door for Norris to mount a challenge.
However, Norris needed to outscore Verstappen by eight points per race weekend to stay in the fight—a target he only hit sporadically. Key mistakes, like those seen at the Brazilian GP, where Verstappen snatched a dominant win despite McLaren’s earlier advantage, allowed the Dutchman to maintain his grip on the title.
Steiner’s Scathing Assessment
Steiner, never one to mince words, called out Norris for being unprepared for the relentless fight Verstappen brought to the championship.
“He was a little bit naive going racing, like, ‘This will be all good.’ No, nothing will be good because Max will be fighting. Max fights you to death to win something,” Steiner said.
The ex-Haas boss believes Norris underestimated Verstappen’s unyielding determination and failed to execute consistently under pressure.
Lessons for the Future
Despite falling short, Steiner acknowledged that Norris would likely learn from his 2024 experiences. He stressed that the 25-year-old must carry these lessons into the 2025 season if he hopes to mount a more credible title challenge.
“This year’s championship would have taught Lando a lesson,” Steiner added. “Next year, he’ll need to avoid mistakes and capitalize on every opportunity if he wants to beat Max.”
The Piastri Problem
Steiner also warned that Norris’ challenges might not only come from Verstappen but also from his own teammate, Oscar Piastri. The young Australian impressed in his rookie season, securing two victories—including a memorable triumph in Hungary where he directly took points from Norris.
“Oscar Piastri in the same car will not be sitting there waiting for Lando to win a world championship,” Steiner asserted. “If McLaren gives them a title-contending car, they’ll be fighting each other.”
This internal rivalry could complicate Norris’ quest for a championship, as McLaren would need both drivers to maintain clean, cooperative racing to avoid losing valuable constructors’ points.
Looking Ahead to 2025
For Norris, 2024 was a year of growth but also a missed opportunity. With Verstappen showing no signs of slowing down and Piastri poised to challenge him from within, the road to the title in 2025 will be even tougher. If Norris hopes to finally claim the crown, he’ll need to adopt a more aggressive and calculated approach—one that matches the intensity of Verstappen’s never-say-die mentality.
Steiner’s parting shot encapsulates the challenge facing Norris: “In Formula 1, you can’t just hope things will fall into place. You have to fight for every inch, every point, and every moment. That’s what Max does, and that’s why he’s the champion.”
