Inexperience and lack of killer instinct cost Norris 2024 F1 title

Head-to-head battles for the 2024 F1 title highlight the psychological gap between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

Nov 10, 2024 - 15:00
116
Inexperience and lack of killer instinct cost Norris 2024 F1 title

Former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner says the 2024 F1 title was all but sealed psychologically in Brazil after a dominant performance by Max Verstappen. The well-known German-language pundit believes Verstappen dealt ‘incredible psychological blows’ to Norris in Sau Paulo.

“Specifically, in the last laps of his victory from P17 on the grid at Interlagos. At the end of the race, when he was already in the lead, he did one fastest lap after another. In doing so, he was dealing incredible blows to Norris. In addition to his insane performance from P17. It’s a statement of how mentally very strong he is and how he cannot be shaken,” said Danner.

2024 F1 TITLE RACE ALL BUT OVER

F1 pundits say 2024 is not the year for Lando Norris, but his shot will come in the future. Image: File

In contrast, going up against his friend Verstappen for the 2024 F1 title, Norris has spoken openly about how nervous he gets before races. He struggles to make good race starts and also makes costly driving errors in the race. “It’s no wonder he has no self-confidence. There is only one way to overcome inexperience as a driver, and that is to be successful. I am curious to see how he deals with the 2024 F1 title race from now on. If he wins again everything will be fine, but he still makes too many mistakes,” Danner said.

Last weekend at the Brazilian GP in Sau Paulo, Verstappen was way back in P17 on the grid in wet conditions. He was facing major potential points loss to 2024 F1 title rival Norris on pole. But he stayed calm and delivered one of the all-time-great comeback drives. A drive worthy of a four-time world champion.

TEAM DYNAMICS

McLaren’s Lando Norris (24) is tossed in the air as his team celebrates his victory in the 2024 Miami Formula One Grand Prix. Image: Giorgio Viera/AFP

Fellow former F1 driver Christijan Albers says he sees a similar contrast between their teams. “At McLaren, it’s like they’ve kind of just thrown the whole season away. Things can turn around very quickly in Formula 1, and Verstappen has completely turned it around from nothing. Meanwhile, the pressure was on McLaren, and Norris and Piastri both failed, because they were not consistent. There was no fighting spirit and aggression from McLaren. You don’t always see it in them, but you do see it at Red Bull,” concluded Albers. – with GMM

CAN NORRIS FIGHT BACK IN THE LAST THREE RACES OF THE SEASON?

Their friendship has been tested both on and off the track. Image: Christian Bruna

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. Or WhatsApp your thoughts on this article to 060 011 0211. Don’t forget to follow The South African for the latest updates.