Lando Norris Dismisses Max Verstappen ‘Threat’ Sug… read more
Lando Norris has recently rejected the idea that Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s sudden resurgence in the Formula 1 title race should be a shock to him. The McLaren driver, currently in a heated championship battle with Verstappen, made it clear that he doesn’t need others to remind him of the Red Bull driver’s impressive abilities or his potential to challenge for the title.
Verstappen delivered a dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, claiming his 64th career victory in a display that left spectators and pundits alike in awe. He showcased his remarkable driving skills with a stunning qualifying lap, which helped him secure pole position ahead of McLaren’s Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri, who started second and third. The race weekend had initially seemed to favor McLaren, following Norris’ season-opening victory in Australia and Piastri’s triumph in China, both of which hinted that the team could be on course for a strong title challenge.
However, Verstappen and Red Bull made a rapid turnaround after a difficult Friday practice session. Despite struggling with their car, the team made significant changes, with Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, stating that they had “turned the car upside down” to improve performance. Verstappen’s subsequent performance was a masterclass, and he went on to secure a race victory that brought him within just a point of Norris at the top of the drivers’ standings.
When asked by the media if Verstappen’s performance at Suzuka demonstrated that he would be a serious title contender despite McLaren’s superior car, Norris dismissed the notion. The McLaren driver was questioned about whether he was surprised by Verstappen’s qualifying and race performance, and Norris made it clear that he had always held great respect for Verstappen’s driving abilities. He explained that there was no reason for him to be surprised, as he had known Verstappen’s talents for a long time.
“I feel I get a lot of questions like, ‘Are you surprised by Max?’ when he has a day like [in qualifying] or a race like [on Sunday],” Norris said. “And I guess people always expect me to say yes, but I don’t think there is a reason to be. I don’t think I ever have. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Max.” He further emphasized that his perspective was rooted in his own experiences in the car, where he can immediately sense what is working and what isn’t.
Norris continued by stating that he didn’t need anyone to tell him how good Verstappen was or to suggest that he should view him as a potential threat. The 24-year-old explained that he has always had respect for Verstappen, dating back to their early days when they first met in 2014 or 2015, years before either of them became prominent figures in F1. He said that he had no need for outside opinions to help shape his own views.
“Of course, I’ve always got my own opinions, but I’m always going to have the respect,” Norris explained. “I know how good he’s been since we shook hands back in 2015 or something, 2014, and I was half the height I am now. I don’t need people to tell me these things.”
Despite his confidence in Verstappen’s ability, Norris remains focused on the competition and believes that McLaren can still compete at a high level. He stated that he expects a thrilling battle throughout the rest of the season, acknowledging that Verstappen will certainly have his moments of superiority but also expressing his belief that McLaren has the potential to win races and fight for the title. “I still believe that we’re going to have some good races and we can go toe-to-toe, and that some days he’ll come out on top and others I will,” Norris added.
In conclusion, Lando Norris’ comments reflect a deep respect for Max Verstappen’s skills and achievements, while also reinforcing his belief in McLaren’s ability to challenge for the championship. Norris’s self-assurance and confidence in his own driving abilities suggest that, despite Verstappen’s dominance, the battle at the top of the F1 standings is far from decided. Fans can expect an exciting, closely contested fight for the championship in the remaining races of the season.
