Norris speaks out over CONTROVERSIAL Verstappen’s…read more
Lando Norris has openly discussed his rivalry with Max Verstappen during their intense 2023 Formula 1 season, offering insights into the challenges and growth he experienced as a driver throughout the year. The British driver emerged as one of the few contenders capable of pushing Verstappen to his limits, even though he ultimately fell short in the battle for the championship.
For much of the 2023 season, Verstappen was dominant, but Norris began to close the gap in the middle of the year, as Verstappen endured a rare stretch of races without victory. This brief dip in form allowed Norris to capitalize on McLaren’s improved performance and build a momentum that put him in contention for the championship. Despite McLaren’s strong pace, particularly in the second half of the season, Verstappen remained a formidable rival, and despite some challenges, he finished the season on top, securing his third consecutive world title with a total of nine race victories.
Norris, who had been one of the few drivers to challenge Verstappen’s supremacy in 2023, ended the season 63 points behind the Dutchman in the driver standings. However, the season was not without its controversy, particularly with the fiery interactions between the two drivers on track. Despite being close friends off-track, the rivalry between Norris and Verstappen became increasingly heated throughout the year, leading to tense moments during several races.
One of the most notable clashes occurred at the Austrian Grand Prix in June, where the two drivers collided on track, and Verstappen’s dominant performance ultimately allowed him to extend his lead in the standings. The incident created a stir among fans and commentators, with Norris taking exception to Verstappen’s aggressive driving. Their rivalry took another turn at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Verstappen was handed two separate 10-second time penalties for incidents involving Norris. The young Brit labeled Verstappen’s driving as “dangerous” after the race, sparking further controversy. Despite their on-track tensions, Norris still congratulated Verstappen after he sealed the championship in Las Vegas, showing the respect that underpins their friendship off-track.
As Norris reflects on his battle with Verstappen, he admits that while he was eager to challenge for the title in 2023, it became clear that the season was just slightly too late for him to mount a serious challenge. He pointed to areas where he needed to improve, both in terms of his driving and his approach to the competition. However, Norris also acknowledged that 2023 taught him important lessons about himself and his capabilities as a driver. One of the most significant takeaways from the season, according to Norris, was the confidence he gained in his ability to compete with the best in Formula 1.
In a candid conversation with the media in Abu Dhabi, Norris expressed his belief that he was ready to take the fight to Verstappen again in 2025, after recognizing areas where he could improve. “Of course, I fancied it already this year, but it was just a little too late,” Norris said. “I definitely have had things to improve on and to look back on and try to correct and to improve.” Norris was honest about his shortcomings, admitting that he made mistakes and didn’t always provide Verstappen with the level of competition needed to seriously challenge for the title. Despite these setbacks, Norris remained positive, focusing on the progress he had made throughout the year.
One of the key areas where Norris believes he has improved is in his self-confidence. In the past, Norris was often known to be self-critical and hesitant to believe in his own potential. “It sounds very simple,” he admitted, “but I’ve just always been quite the opposite kind of guy, and I always find I need to go out and prove it to myself before I want to start believing anything.” This self-awareness and growth in confidence have been instrumental in Norris’s development as a driver. Throughout the year, Norris worked hard to refine his driving skills and better understand how to extract the maximum performance from his car, especially as McLaren became more competitive and the team found themselves battling at the front more often.
While his 2023 season ended with him falling short in his title pursuit, Norris is optimistic about his future prospects. He is determined to use the lessons he learned and the confidence he gained to launch another serious bid for the championship in 2025. With McLaren continuing to make strides in car performance and development, Norris is looking ahead to the next season with a renewed sense of belief in his abilities and the potential to challenge Verstappen once again.
For Norris, the 2023 season was an important learning experience, one that proved to him that he is capable of competing at the highest level in Formula 1. While he may not have been able to dethrone Verstappen in 2023, Norris is confident that with continued growth and improvement, he can mount a stronger challenge in the years to come. The rivalry between the two drivers, full of fire and intensity, is far from over, and with McLaren’s continued progress, Norris will be looking to prove that he has what it takes to challenge Verstappen for the championship in the future.
