Lando Norris has opened up about the emotional toll of the Brazil Grand Prix, describing it as a “tough” turning point in his battle for the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. After closing the gap on Max Verstappen in the standings across several races, Norris’s title ambitions took a devastating hit in São Paulo, leaving him trailing too far behind to remain in contention.
Despite a stellar performance in the Sprint race, where he gained ground as Verstappen faced a penalty, a combination of misfortune and errors during the Grand Prix spelled disaster for the McLaren driver.
The Red Flag That Changed Everything
The decisive moment came when a red flag caused by Franco Colapinto’s crash allowed Verstappen to pit for new intermediate tires at the perfect time. Norris, who had already pitted four laps earlier, lost his lead advantage.
Starting P4 after the restart, Norris struggled to regain momentum, making two critical mistakes that cost him vital positions. Meanwhile, Verstappen surged ahead to claim victory, leaving Norris 62 points behind in the standings and effectively ending his title challenge.
“For a week I was pretty down after Brazil,” Norris admitted during the FIA’s press conference in Las Vegas. “The realisation that the championship was out of reach hit me hard. It’s tough to accept when your hopes are so high.”
Learning to Accept the Role of Luck
Acknowledging the role of fortune in motorsport, Norris said he holds no grudges over the outcome in Brazil.
“Luck can be on your side or someone else’s. That’s racing. In Miami, I was lucky to win thanks to a Safety Car strategy, and in Brazil, Max had the upper hand. It’s a balance.”
While Norris remains philosophical, he conceded that the timing of such a setback so late in the season made it even harder to accept.
A Game of Chess
Heading into the Las Vegas GP, Verstappen is on the brink of securing his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. With just 60 points left to fight for and a 62-point gap between them, Norris described his position as being in “check” in a high-stakes chess match.
“Max has all his pawns ready to attack me,” Norris said. “I can still fight, but the odds are heavily stacked against me. It would take a miracle now.”
Norris Finds Hope in McLaren’s Progress
Despite the disappointment, Norris is optimistic about the future. Reflecting on his performances since the summer break, he believes McLaren has shown significant improvement and is poised to challenge at the front in 2025.
“This year has been the first time in six years that we’ve had the car to fight at the front. It’s also been my first chance to test myself against the best, and I feel like I’ve grown tremendously.”
While Norris acknowledges there’s still room for improvement in his driving, he’s confident in his ability to compete for a championship.
“I’ve proven to myself that I have what it takes to fight for the title. I’m not perfect, but I’m getting closer to where I need to be.”
A Tough Lesson but a Promising Future
Though the 2024 title may be out of reach, Norris and McLaren are focusing on finishing the season strong and taking valuable lessons into 2025. With renewed confidence and belief in his capabilities, Norris is determined to come back stronger.
“One day, it will go my way,” he said. “And when it does, I’ll be ready.”
