Lando Norris has denied Max Verstappen’s claim he would have sealed the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship even sooner than he did driving the McLaren car in 2024.
Verstappen and Norris went toe-to-toe this season in a fight that saw the latter struggle to capitalise on a car advantage to reel in the points lead his rival had built up.
The Dutchman opened up a substantial gap with four victories in the first five races, but Red Bull’s dramatic plight in competitiveness saw McLaren steal the initiative.
But while he managed to erode the gap at a gradual rate over the season, Norris and McLaren made numerous errors that allowed Verstappen crucial breathing room.
Verstappen insisted the title would’ve been sewn up earlier with McLaren’s MCL38 at his disposal as Red Bull’s RB20 wasn’t the quickest car for “75 per cent” of 2024.
However, Norris has dismissed Verstappen’s assertion, highlighting that the 69-point gap that existed once he moved up into second place has never been overturned.
Asked whether Verstappen would’ve won the championship with the McLaren this season, Norris told The Telegraph: “No, definitely not.
“I mean, no one ever in the history of Formula 1 has come back from the size of deficit I had. No one. Ever.
“And there have been much bigger swings of performance of cars in the past than there has been now.
“The advantage they [Red Bull] had in the beginning of the season over everyone was way more than we’ve had.”
Norris has lauded Verstappen as a driver who boasts no weaknesses and he reckons he would’ve had a greater shot at the title had he been up against someone else.
“I think if it was any other driver, well not any other driver, but if it wasn’t Max and Red Bull, I think the chances would have been much higher,” he ponders.
Norris confident he’ll be in the mix in 2025
McLaren’s rapid progression under Andrea Stella’s leadership is poised to see Norris be provided with the hardware to mount a more sustained challenge next season.
But with Verstappen eager to extend his reign, Ferrari’s resurgence and team-mate Oscar Piastri gaining experience, it’s been claimed Norris’ chance might have gone.
When that was put to him, though, Norris is confident that his continued season-on-season improvement will see him become a consistent presence at the sharp end.
“True,” he acknowledged. “But this year was a better performing year for me than last year.
“My progression this year is more than it probably has been over the last few years.
“I think from the summer break onwards, I still made mistakes here and there, don’t get me wrong.
“But everyone makes mistakes now and then, even World Champions. But I think I performed at the level that I need to.”
Asked whether that was the level to clinch the championship in 2025 in a competitive car, Norris concluded: “I think so, yes.”
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