Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has expressed concerns regarding Lando Norris’s ability to compete against Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 World Championship in 2024. Brundle attributes Norris’s struggles to a “lack of experience” in championship battles, suggesting that this has hindered his performance in crucial moments. He believes that the pressure of competing for the title has exposed Norris’s shortcomings, particularly when facing a seasoned competitor like Verstappen, who is known for his aggressive racing style and “killer instinct.”
During the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, Norris appeared poised to close the gap on Verstappen, having secured a strong pole position while Verstappen qualified poorly in 17th place. However, Norris’s race did not go as planned, and he finished in sixth place, allowing Verstappen to surge through the field and clinch victory. This win marked Verstappen’s return to form, extending his lead to a significant 62 points ahead of the upcoming races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, making his fourth championship title increasingly likely.
Brundle emphasizes that while Norris has demonstrated potential with three wins this season—specifically in Miami, the Netherlands, and Singapore—he lacks the crucial experience that comes with consistently challenging for a World Championship. According to Brundle, the nature of championship racing involves unique challenges and pressures that Norris has yet to fully navigate. He notes that Norris has had standout moments, particularly in races where he dominated, but these instances may not be enough to prepare him for the relentless competition posed by Verstappen.
Reflecting on McLaren’s performance this season, Brundle points out that despite having one of the fastest cars, Norris has not been able to maintain the consistency needed to consistently challenge Verstappen. He suggests that the expectation for Norris to catch up to Verstappen was overly ambitious, especially considering that Verstappen started the season with a remarkable seven victories in the first ten races. Brundle believes that Verstappen’s early dominance placed him in a position where Norris had little room for error.
As the season nears its conclusion, Brundle indicates that for Norris to reclaim his title hopes, he will need not only to win but also rely on a combination of other drivers—including his teammate and competitors from Ferrari and Mercedes—to disrupt Verstappen’s performance. With Norris’s deficit in points and the likelihood of Verstappen clinching the championship soon, Brundle concludes that unless a series of unlikely events unfold, Norris’s title ambitions are largely diminished.