Formula 1: The ridiculous spat that exposed Lando’s biggest weakness

Formula 1: The ridiculous spat that exposed Lando's biggest weakness

As a seasoned F1 enthusiast who has witnessed the highs and lows of this exhilarating sport over the years, I must say that Lando Norris’ recent antics have left me scratching my head. His comments towards Lewis Hamilton about his past successes and the speed of their cars felt like a misplaced attempt at rivalry rather than a genuine reflection of his own abilities.

In the final laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, Lando Norris reluctantly surrendered the lead to his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Eventually, Piastri clinched his inaugural Formula 1 win.

In the heat of the Grand Prix, I snatched the lead from my teammate right at the start and never let it go. Unfortunately, Lando Norris, who had been leading us all from pole position, lost that spot to turn one. But he managed to regain his position thanks to McLaren strategically pitting him earlier during the final stint. This move was a clever ploy to counteract an anticipated undercut by Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in third place.

Stepping out of the cooling-off area following the thrilling race, I couldn’t help but express my admiration to the pair clad in papaya. “You two are quick,” I found myself saying.

Norris, for whatever reason, decided to take it personally.

24-year-old British driver asserted that “you once had a speedy vehicle seven years back.” When Hamilton inquired if Norris was competing in Formula 1 at that time (which he wasn’t), Norris disregarded the question and countered his rival by saying, “indeed, you had a fast car, you capitalized on it, and now it’s our turn.

On more than one occasion, Norris has unnecessarily stirred up trouble by making unwarranted comments about the power of his or another driver’s racing vehicle.

In the year 2020, as Hamilton clinched his fourth consecutive world championship, making it his sixth in seven years and tying a record with his seventh title overall, Norris made the following statement.

It doesn’t mean anything to me, really. He’s in a car which should win every race, basically. He has to beat one or two other drivers, that’s it. Fair play to him, he’s still doing the job he has to do.
Lando Norris

Seven world championships don’t mean anything. Imagine that.

In October 2024, we find ourselves here. Notably, the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas took place just over the weekend, where Ferrari clinched their first 1-2 finish since the Australian Grand Prix in March. However, it’s clear that McLaren has been the quickest team on the track throughout this period.

From Norris’ first career win in Miami up until Leclerc’s victory in Texas, McLaren accumulated the most points of any team in a total of 12 races. Initially, they were 115 points behind Red Bull after Miami, but they now lead by 40 points. Similarly, they were 65 points behind Ferrari, but currently, they’re ahead by 48 points.

155 points superior to the two-time consecutive constructors’ champions, and 117 points ahead of the current second favorites for this season’s championship title.

It came as a surprise to many considering Max Verstappen’s impressive 34 victories in 44 races from 2022-2023. However, it’s been McLaren who have boasted the quickest car for most of the 2024 season.

But Formula 1 isn’t just about who has the fastest car.

It’s not that easy.

In such a scenario, Norris would have by now been among the select few drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel, who have achieved 10 or more wins in a single season.

Instead, he is seated at the third position, sharing it with Leclerc, both driving for a Ferrari that can boast of competitive speed approximately once every three to four races at its best.

In Formula 1, four years can feel like a significant stretch of time. Bringing up comments made by Norris in 2020 and comparing them to the present situation might not be entirely just, considering the passage of time and potential growth or change in his perspective.

However, considering his recent remarks towards Hamilton, even if it was said in the heat of the moment, it seems clear that he may not yet fully grasp all the qualities that make a world champion.

It’s not as easy as simply driving a faster car than the other nine teams on the grid and beating your teammate.

And that might very well be his biggest weakness at the moment, even above the clear racecraft deficit he is still facing to the championship-leading Verstappen.

Hamilton, Verstappen, Schumacher, and Vettel achieved remarkable feats (three consecutive 10-win seasons for Hamilton twice, more races won in two years than anyone else in three for Verstappen, five titles in a row for Schumacher, and four titles in a row for Vettel) not just because their cars were fast, but also due to their exceptional skills, strategic decisions, and determination.

Was it involved somehow? Indeed, without a doubt, you cannot triumph when using the slowest vehicle.

Beyond this, there’s a lot more depth to it. Now that Norris has experienced the thrill of driving a fast car, maybe his recent string of missed chances during the last five-odd months serve as a helpful reminder. Regardless of his talent, he might need to work on himself, possibly even adjusting his attitude and methodology.

Because McLaren have already built a championship-level race car.

2024-10-25 13:32

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