Norris: I Wasn’t Ready for a Title Fight

Lando Norris admits he wasn’t prepared for a title fight with Max Verstappen but believes he now has the tools to compete.

After revealing his “despair” at likely losing the drivers’ title this year (read more here), Lando Norris admitted during Thursday’s press conference in Las Vegas that he wasn’t “quite ready” to challenge Max Verstappen.

“I probably wasn’t quite ready to take on Red Bull and Max. I think I am now, but it’s probably too late to do so.”

“Maybe some drivers in the past were ready for such an opportunity, but no one has faced Max so early in their career, mid-season, and delivered such a strong challenge.”

“So, I did my best. I wasn’t good enough, and I’ve always admitted that.”

“Max is probably one of the best drivers in Formula 1 history, and I don’t think there’s a better driver than Max in F1. That’s my opinion, but it’s what I believe.”

“For me, going against that belief—fighting someone I know is that good—requires a bit more than what I’ve probably achieved this season.”

“But what I’ve done since the summer break is closer to what I need to be, and I think it’s good enough to fight for the title next year.”

While Norris admires Verstappen, he also knows he has what it takes to beat him.

“Yes, yes, I’m capable of doing it. What I mean is, this is the first time in six years we’ve had the chance to fight at the front. It’s our first opportunity—and mine—to do so, and my first chance to see where I stand.”

“I clearly wasn’t at the level I needed to be at the start of the year for the title, but we’ve done a very good job, and I’ve delivered some very, very strong performances—by far some of my best.”

“I’m very pleased with how the last few months have gone, honestly. I wouldn’t change much about what’s happened. I still need to make adjustments, and I still need to improve in certain areas, that’s clear. I’m not completely satisfied with what I’ve done, and I definitely know there are areas where I need to find improvements.”

“But, for the first time, I’m confident I can say I have what it takes to fight for a championship. That doesn’t mean I’m complete; it doesn’t mean I’m perfect. When competing against drivers who are close to that, like Max, you have to be near perfection if you want to challenge him.”

Norris acknowledged that he and the team had made mistakes this year.

“There were many races where we didn’t do the job we could have. At Silverstone, we could have had a one-two, and we didn’t. There were plenty of times we fell short of being a championship-winning team, and plenty of times I fell short of being a championship-caliber driver.”

McLaren, however, is still fighting for its first Constructors’ Championship crown since 1998, holding a 36-point lead over Ferrari and a further 13-point gap to Red Bull with three races remaining.

“Nothing is done, but at least we’re ahead. A small cushion. Ferrari has been strong for a long time. They have two very good drivers; they’re a very good team, and they’ve clearly improved their car significantly and found a better direction to take.”

“They’ve probably become the best alongside us… Some races they’re a little better, others a little behind, and sometimes we’re on par, as competitors. Maybe the momentum is slightly in their favor, but we’re close. Red Bull has also come closer at the same time.”

“It’s more about who can deliver a better performance over a weekend. We know Las Vegas is probably a circuit that will suit Ferrari a bit better—it suited them well last year—but we know Qatar might play more to our strengths.”