McLaren F1 faces doubts over title ambitions as Damon Hill warns their lack of resilience could cost them everything this season.
The McLaren F1 team is not yet “tough enough to compete for a championship,” according to Damon Hill, after its drivers’ title hopes faded in Brazil, and its constructors’ title prospects became fragile.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the São Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid, taking full advantage of wet conditions. He now leads Lando Norris by 62 points with only three races remaining.
The São Paulo race weekend (both Sprint and main race) initially appeared to favor Norris.
“What a difference it could have made if the result had been reversed,” said the 1996 world champion.
“At one point, Max was the guy stuck 11 or 10 seconds behind the leader, and Lando had points in the bag. It was always going to be a critical race for the drivers’ title—an opportunity unlikely to come again. Lando is clearly disappointed with the result and the gap now.”
Norris saw his race in Brazil hampered by a failed start, for which he received a reprimand and a fine.
But Hill noted: “I don’t think he handled his second restart well. He gave Charles Leclerc an opportunity. And that really didn’t help.”
“McLaren is not tough enough to fight for a championship; they’re benefiting this year from Sergio Perez being really off form. And Ferrari has been inconsistent and is now a threat in the constructors’ championship too. McLaren could lose everything.”
“Still, knowing how to fight hard for every point is essential. There have been other moments this season when McLaren and Lando missed their mark. They’ll think long and hard about 2024 and come back stronger in 2025.”
“To win a championship, you can’t afford mistakes. The competition is too fierce and too relentless.”
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Damon Hill: McLaren’s Fragility Threatens Title Hopes Entirely Damon Hill: McLaren’s Fragility Threatens Title Hopes Entirely
