Lando Norris believes he now “has what it takes” to win titles in Formula 1 having admitted that he “wasn’t ready” to go up against Max Verstappen earlier this season.
Norris has capitalised on McLaren’s mid-season emergence as the pacesetting team to become the main contender to Verstappen’s strive to retain the championship.
But while he managed to reduce the gap to 44 points during the Brazil weekend, Norris’ plight to sixth as Verstappen won the main race has all but ended his chances.
The Briton’s mistake-ridden outing at Interlagos became the latest occasion where he and McLaren were made to rue a missed chance to cut Verstappen’s advantage.
Norris admitted such opportunities going begging this season have shown that he and McLaren haven’t operated on the level required to beat a driver like Verstappen.
“There’s times where, as a team, we didn’t perform at the level we needed to do as a World Championship winning team,” Norris told media including Motorsport Week in Las Vegas.
“But there’s also been plenty of times when I’ve not performed at the level I needed to perform at to win a championship.
“I probably wasn’t outright ready to go up against Red Bull and Max. I think I am now, and it’s probably too late to do that.
“Maybe there are other drivers in the past that were ready for such an occasion.
“But no one has gone up against Max so early on in their career, halfway through the season and put up, I think, a pretty reasonable fight.
“I mean, I’m there, but there’s no one else doing it, you know. I’ve done my best. I’ve not done well enough. And I’ve always admitted that.
“I think Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. And I think you’ll probably get a much better driver than Max ever in Formula 1, ever again.
“That’s my opinion, but that’s what I believe in.
“And for me to go up against that belief, to fight against that person that I know is so good, takes a bit more than what I’ve probably achieved this season.
“But I think what I’ve done since the summer break is closer to what I need to be. And I think that is close to being good enough to fighting for it next year.”
Norris now at a level to mount stronger title bid
However, Norris believes what he has produced since the summer break has aligned with the standard he must reach in 2025 to ensure he mounts a stronger title bid.
Asked what he has taken from this campaign, Norris, who has helped McLaren to lead the Constructors’ Championship, responded: “That I have what it takes.
“I think it’s the first time in the last six years of Formula 1 when we’ve had a chance to fight at the front.
“We’ve not been able to do that for the last six years. So, this is our and my first opportunity to do so and my first opportunity to see where I stand.
“I definitely was not at the level I needed to be at the beginning of the year and even Miami point of the season.
“Since the summer break, I feel like I’ve done a very good job and performed very, very well. By far some of my best performances that I’ve done.
“So, I’ve been very happy actually with how the last few months have gone, honestly. I wouldn’t change many things that have happened.
“But I still need to make tweaks. I still need to improve on things. That’s clear. I’m not completely satisfied with how I’ve done. I definitely know I need to make improvements.
“For the first time, I’m confident to say that I have what I think I need to fight for a championship. It doesn’t mean I’m complete. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect, that’s for sure.
“When you’re competing against drivers who are close to that, like Max, you have to be close to perfect if you want to challenge him and challenge the teams who are around.
“So, I’m confident. I think the main thing I can take away is I have faith that I have got what it takes to fight for a championship.”
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