Lando Norris may have emerged as a strong contender in the 2024 World Championship, especially after his dominant victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, but seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton believes that Norris will need more than just speed to topple Max Verstappen from the top of the standings—he’ll need a bit of luck as well.
While Norris showcased incredible pace at Zandvoort, even taking the lead from Verstappen early on, Hamilton noted that Verstappen’s consistency and current lead in the championship make him the man to beat. Hamilton emphasized that even if Verstappen consistently finishes in second place, it will be difficult for Norris to overtake him in the standings without some fortunate circumstances going his way.
“There are a lot of points on the table, so it is not impossible,” Hamilton told the media. “But realistically, Max only needs to finish second… So there needs to be some good fortune involved.”
Despite the challenges Norris faces in the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton expressed excitement about McLaren’s surge in the Constructors’ Championship. He remarked on the impressive progress McLaren has made since the start of the season, transforming from a struggling team into one of the fastest on the grid. For Hamilton, McLaren’s resurgence adds an exciting dynamic to the championship battle, especially as they challenge the traditionally dominant teams.
When asked about his own performance, Hamilton reflected on the delicate nature of the W15, describing it as being “on a knife edge” in terms of its performance. He acknowledged that while he felt he was the third fastest at Zandvoort in terms of pace, his qualifying performance left room for improvement. Hamilton believes that with better support from the car in qualifying, he could have started the race in a stronger position, potentially leading to a better result.
Looking ahead to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Hamilton remains hopeful for a strong performance. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether he can secure his third win of the season and close the gap on the frontrunners in the championship standings.
