Lando Norris has shot down suggestions that he is the new favorite to win the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, despite McLaren’s meteoric rise and Red Bull’s catastrophic slump. Heading into the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris sits 59 points behind reigning champion Max Verstappen, needing to outscore the Dutchman by nine points per race in the final seven rounds to clinch his first-ever title. But the Briton insists that Verstappen remains the one with everything to lose.
McLaren’s surge to the top of the Constructors’ Championship, highlighted by a stunning performance in Baku, has coincided with a dramatic downturn for Red Bull. Verstappen, who dominated the early part of the season with three 1-2 finishes in the first four races, has seen his team struggle mightily with the balance of their RB20, failing to make the podium in the last two events. Yet, Norris is quick to remind everyone that Red Bull’s initial dominance far outstripped McLaren’s current form.
“They’re having a less difficult time than we had at the beginning of the year,” Norris said, dismissing the notion that Red Bull is out of the fight. “We’ve turned things around, but I strongly believe they can still do the same very quickly. People need to focus on the facts rather than jump to conclusions.”
Despite McLaren’s newfound status as the team to beat, Norris maintains that the championship is still Verstappen’s to lose. While pundits and fans are eager to crown Norris as the new king-in-waiting, the 24-year-old remains level-headed, underscoring that his rival’s struggles are not as severe as they appear.
Norris’s perspective on race celebrations has also shifted, reflecting his newfound focus on the bigger picture. “Winning now feels different. It’s not just about enjoying the moment—it’s about the championship,” Norris admitted. “In Miami, I celebrated like crazy. But in Zandvoort, it was just a fist bump and a smile because now, every point matters in the title race.”
The pressure is on as F1 enters the final stretch of the season. Can McLaren maintain their momentum, or will Red Bull bounce back to reclaim their throne? For now, Norris is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, but with every race, the title picture becomes a little clearer—and a lot more tantalizing.
