Formula 1 Racing

Norris says 2024 showed he can win a championship. Are you convinced? · RaceFans

Lando Norris, McLaren, Yas Marina, 2024

Every Formula 1 driver on the grid heads into the new season with the goal of fighting for the world championship.

While Max Verstappen prevailed again last year, his closest rival for the title had never previously been involved in a championship fight.

In his sixth full season in the sport, all with McLaren, Lando Norris had his most successful year to date. He won his first grand prix in Miami, then added three further victories, more than any other driver last year besides Verstappen.

Although Verstappen withstood the McLaren driver’s late bid for the title, Norris said the season helped him to develop into a driver capable of fighting for the championship one day.

“For the first time, I’m confident to say that I have what I think I need to fight for a championship,” Norris said ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. “I think the main thing I can take away is I have faith that I have got what it takes to fight for a championship.”

But do you agree that he has proven himself to be of championship calibre?

For

Norris has clearly shown he is capable of fighting for a world championship title. After all, in one of the most competitive seasons in recent times, he beat everyone except Verstappen and went head-to-head with the world champion.

He scored commanding wins in Zandvoort, Singapore and Yas Marina. Although he had tough fights with Verstappen on occasions he also showed he could race him, passing Verstappen to win in the Netherlands.

Winning a championship also requires having a quick enough car and developing it through the season. It’s no coincidence that McLaren have made major strides forward in both of the last two seasons with his experience leading the team.

Against

Norris is a multiple grand prix winner now and no one can deny that – but that does not necessarily mean he is a potential champion.

He threw away too many points this year, often due to sub-standard starts from pole position. In contrast, Verstappen regularly maximised the opportunities available to him. Norris still needs to prove he can do the same.

With the competition outside the team likely to get fiercer, plus the growing threat from his improving young team mate, Norris’s first chance to win a championship may have been the best one he gets.

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I say

Yes, Lando Norris can fight for a world championship. After all, he did in 2024 – putting Verstappen under the most pressure he has…

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