Photo: Race Pictures

What did Norris learn from his title battle with Verstappen in 2024?

08:03, 07 Nov

byTobia Elia

Lando Norris has opened up about what it means for him to be leading the championship and what he learned from his battle with Verstappen last year.

“I think when you get reminded about it, for me it’s not something I think about at all”

- Lando Norris

Speaking to the media ahead of the Interlagos weekend, the Brit admitted it feels great, but said it doesn’t really change anything about his approach for the final four races.

“I think when you get reminded about it, for me it’s not something I think about at all, but when I get reminded just because of my friends or people you bump into, talk about it and bring it up, it’s still a cool thought — just thinking about, oh, I’m fighting for a World Championship in F2, just being in a position to do that.”

“And then for me to be in that position, it’s still part of my dream to be an F1 driver, to try and win races. Still, feels incredible, but I don’t think in terms of races and achieving the actual dream of being a champion, I still, at the minute, don’t feel any difference.”

Norris is fully aware that there are still too many points up for grabs and the championship gap is too tight for him to afford any relaxation.

“I think nothing’s completed, nothing’s done. There’s still over 120 points or something available. So it doesn’t mean anything. For the time being, it’s a nice thought again to look on and think about, but otherwise it’s nice to be there. I still need to go and try and win this weekend and win the final race — that’s my goal.”

What did Norris learn from his battle with Verstappen in 2024?

Last year, it was Norris who found himself in the role of chaser against Max Verstappen — a battle he ultimately lost, with Interlagos highlighting the biggest gap in experience between the two.

When asked how much he had learned from that duel with the Dutchman, Norris finally said: “I don’t know, I wouldn’t say there’s anything at the front of my head that goes, ‘I’m doing this’ or ‘I’m making these decisions now because of last year.’

“I think maybe there are some more subconscious things, maybe things that I really thought of earlier in the season that are embedded. But no, I think it’s just about trying to have confidence in myself and believe in myself that I can go out and do what I’ve done.”

Verstappen or McLaren: who is feeling the heat of the title fight more?

With his dominant victory in Mexico over Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, Lando Norris now finds himself leading the championship after having handed that privilege to his teammate for two-thirds of the season.

The Brit heads into Interlagos with just a single point separating him from the Australian, and 36 over the four-time world champion — the one among the three with arguably the least to lose.

But who’s really feeling the pressure in this title fight — the Dutchman or the two McLaren drivers? Verstappen addressed the question on Thursday in Interlagos.

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