Lando Norris has conceded he has “not performed at the level of a world champion” thus far in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The current campaign has been one of major breakthroughs for McLaren. It continued its upward trajectory from last year with its latest major upgrade package in May, which allowed it to start putting Max Verstappen and Red Bull under serious pressure with its rapid 2024 car.
That yielded a maiden grand prix win for Norris in Miami, and team-mate Oscar Piastri has since also broken his duck with a victory in Hungary, with McLaren outscoring the rest of the grid since then.
But, while Red Bull was faltering, several other chances for Norris and McLaren to capitalise on the reigning champion’s up-and-down form curve went awry.
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In Spain, Norris started from pole but a mediocre launch allowed Verstappen to pull ahead, while at Spa Norris slipped up at the start by going wide at La Source, seeing another win chance go begging.
In his trademark self-critical style, Norris said criticism he received from fans and media over some of his mistakes was largely justified, and conceded he hadn’t performed at the consistent level required to battle Verstappen for the world championship.
“After the first half of the season, I’ve not performed at the level of a world champion – simple as that,” Norris said ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
“At certain times I have [performed] and many races I have done, but there have also been little things that just let me down along the way, and those are things I cannot afford to have.
“But I know that. I’ve shown in the past and over the last few races, I’m not happy when I’ve not been at the level I need to be at. That’s just because I’m passionate and I want to win.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, gets a wheel on the gravel at the start
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“We work hard to go out and do our best and not make mistakes and to try and win and when we don’t do that, as an athlete, we’re not going to be happy. We’re not going to be satisfied with our own job.
“That’s why I’ve not been happy with certain parts of the season and what I’m working very hard to try to improve.”
After his Turn 1 error at Spa, right before the summer break, Norris admitted to needing a “reset” to weed out his “stupid” mistakes.
When asked about the conclusions he has drawn from that reflection period, he…
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