Is Norris a True Contender to Dethrone Verstappen in next F1 Championship?
Nov.9 - Lando Norris is emerging as perhaps the most likely title challenger for Max Verstappen in 2024 - even if the on-form McLaren driver is accused of still making too many mistakes.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner now regards McLaren, not Ferrari or Mercedes, as the next likely title contenders. "If they carry over their current form into next year, they will definitely be a contender for the title," he said.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff acknowledges McLaren's ascension, remarking: "They barely got past Q1 in the first races. Now they're even challenging Max."
It comes as McLaren's team boss Andrea Stella revealed a dedicated focus on the future despite the clear and impressive progression throughout 2023, stating: "We've been working almost full steam ahead on next year's car since July."
Dominant triple world champion Verstappen admits McLaren's car has clear strengths, saying after Interlagos: "Their car goes over curbs and bumps better than ours," the Dutchman said.
Despite this, Red Bull's suspension system remains superior in the ground effect era, according to Stella: "It is very important. Not only to bring out the aerodynamics in the best possible way, but also as the only link to the chassis.
"The suspension therefore plays a fundamental role in the use of the tyres," he added, commending the 2023 Red Bull.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, however, spots another chink in McLaren's armour - despite Norris' impressive recent form behind Verstappen.
"Lando has become Max's number 1 pursuer," he told Sky Deutschland.
"But he still makes too many mistakes, especially in qualifying."
Team boss Stella doesn't totally disagree, admitting Norris' need for fine adjustments. "What we have to do is minimise these miniscule mistakes," he said.
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He's turned into a bit of a slow burner in F1, quite unusual in modern days. Great driver improving all the time and I'd love to see him as WDC.
Is he a slow burner, or is the oven simply not switched on? The only logical explanation for Lando sticking with McLaren is that he’s absolutely terrified of going head-to-head with someone of Max’s caliber, fully aware he’d be the runner-up. It’s quite the spectacle how he manages to rack up a laundry list of mistakes when the stakes are high. He and Leclerc must be sharing the same ‘could have, should have’ list.
So he's sticking with McLaren because he's terrified, really, and you can tell that can you. As to laundry of mistakes, remember the early days of crashstappen, either way I'd hardly say he's had a laundry of mistakes in his first few years.
Crashstappen? Yeah the difference is he has improved, Lando not so.
Before anyone challenges VER someone must first challenge Adrian Newey. Right now, VER, Newey and the RB team are the best. The best driver in the world cannot challenge that combo alone.
I don't see Norris as the challenger. My view is it will be Piastri.
He's dropped off a bit in the last few races but he is a rookie and hasn't driven on some of those tracks before.
With more experience he will challenge if he has the car.
Look at Max with RIC when Max first started, by the third year he beat RIC and if RIC had stayed Max would have absolutely torched RIC.
That is how I see Piastri, and he doesn't whine about things as Norris does. What I love about a driver just get in, shutup , and do your job.
He won’t beat Oscar next year, not even close to beating Max. And of course, we can all look forward to the ever-so-entertaining spectacle of Lando’s crying and whining reaching new heights. Fair dinkum, what a bloomin’ sook he is. I mean, him and Lewis, they really know how to keep us all thoroughly entertained during every race with their delightful radio complaints.”
Wow , Im so slow, ummm, id better get on the radio and tell everyone how fast those are, what the girl doesn't realise is We already they know there fast lol