Lando Norris has faced the reality of seeing his maiden Formula 1 title charge unravel in dramatic fashion. After a strong season that reignited hopes of a championship fight, his bid was effectively derailed by a disastrous Brazilian Grand Prix, leaving Max Verstappen poised to secure yet another crown.
Speaking candidly ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris admitted that the devastating points swing at Interlagos, coupled with Verstappen’s unrelenting dominance, left him with a sobering realization: the title is now a near-impossible dream.
“Brazil’s Brutal Blow”
Norris had been riding a wave of momentum leading up to Brazil, believing he was firmly in contention. But a mix of treacherous conditions, misfortune, and a Verstappen masterclass led to a sixth-place finish from pole position, effectively ending his hopes.
“Post-Brazil was tough for me,” Norris said. “It was the first moment when I truly realized achieving first position was now nearly impossible. My fight for the championship was slimmed by almost the biggest margin of the whole year.”
The two-week break between Brazil and Las Vegas gave Norris time to process the disappointment. He now feels unburdened, ready to enjoy the remainder of the season and take the lessons learned into next year.
“I’ve been performing well and doing a good job,” he said. “I think now I can probably just go out and enjoy it more.”
“A Season of Growth and Confidence”
Despite the heartbreak, Norris views 2024 as a season of personal and professional growth. The 24-year-old acknowledged he wasn’t ready to challenge Verstappen at the start of the year but believes his performances, particularly since the summer break, have shown he has what it takes to compete for the title.
“I feel like I’ve done some of the best performances of my career since the summer,” Norris said. “I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened. But I know I still need to improve—there’s always room to be better.”
“Fighting Max: A Monumental Task”
Norris offered a frank assessment of what it takes to go head-to-head with Verstappen, calling the Dutchman one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
“Nobody has gone up against Max so early in their career, and I’ve put up a pretty reasonable fight,” he said. “Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in F1. To fight against someone so good takes more than what I’ve achieved this season.”
While conceding he wasn’t fully prepared to battle Verstappen this year, Norris is confident he’s now closer to the level required to take the fight to Red Bull in 2025.
“For the first time, I feel confident in saying I have what it takes to fight for a championship,” Norris asserted.
“Chess and Championships”
Using an imaginative chess analogy, Norris likened his current situation to a game nearing its conclusion.
“It’s check, and I’m all alone while Max has all his pawns ready to attack me,” he joked. “I’m not conceding until it’s mathematically over, but it’s tough.”
“Eyes on 2025”
With three races remaining, including the glittering Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris remains focused on finishing the season strongly. More importantly, he sees this year’s experiences as the foundation for a renewed title charge in the future.
“I’ve learned that I can fight for a championship,” Norris said. “I wasn’t ready at the start, but I’m confident now. I think what I’ve done since the summer is closer to what’s needed—and I’ll bring that into next year.”
As Norris looks ahead, his 2024 campaign—while ultimately unsuccessful in its title bid—will likely be remembered as a pivotal chapter in his evolution as a driver. Whether he can turn lessons into glory in 2025 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Lando Norris is far from done chasing his Formula 1 dream.