Before the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate meeting of the Formula 1 season, Lando Norris returned this Thursday to the provocative comments of world champion Max Verstappen. After his fourth coronation, the Dutchman indicated that he would have won the title “much earlier” at the wheel of a McLaren or a Ferrari.
Crowned Formula 1 world champion in Las Vegas last Sunday, Max Verstappen had a more complicated 2024 season than the previous one. The Red Bull driver also estimated that he could have been titled “much earlier” if he had raced this season with a McLaren or a Ferrari.
Current runner-up to Max Verstappen, Lando Norris (McLaren) did not hesitate to reframe his Dutch rival. “He should start doing comedy or something,” the Briton replied this Thursday before the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate meeting of the season. “He can say whatever he wants. Of course, I don't agree at all. He's good, but, yes, it's not true.”
“It’s perhaps a little exaggerated to say something like that,” added Charles Leclerc. For the Monegasque, Max Verstappen is “a very special driver” because of the “confidence he has” in him. “However, I think it is very difficult to say something like that without actually knowing what the car looks like,” concluded the three-time winner with Ferrari in 2024.
“He must do all his work alone, big congratulations to him”
Max Verstappen built much of his lead early in the season, when he won four of the first five races. “For most of the season we had a better car than Red Bull, but when I won he was second, third, and when he won I was fifth, sixth,” noted Norris who admitted all just as he had “perhaps made too many mistakes” to claim better.
Episode 34: Las Vegas GP – Maxterclass! Verstappen world champion for the 4th time!
If Lando Norris, winner three times this year, is in competition with Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen largely dominates his teammate Sergio Perez. “He has to do all his work on his own, big kudos to him for that,” praised Norris. “He doesn't have anyone to push him. He doesn't have anyone to try other things with the car. Data doesn't have as much value when you don't have someone performing at the same level.”
“But at the same time, he has no pressure. He doesn't have to try to beat anyone in his own team. That brings a certain comfort,” added Norris, where his teammate Oscar Piastri won two Grands Prix in 2024. The challenge at the end of the season will also lie in the fight for the constructors' title: McLaren is respectively 24 and 53 points ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull in the standings before the Qatar Grands Prix And from Abu Dhabi.
