Lando Norris says he still has a “chance” to overtake world championship leader Max Verstappen with 10 races remaining in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Drivers return to practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on Friday after the sport’s summer break, with Red Bull’s Verstappen topping the standings with a 78-point lead over McLaren’s Norris.
McLaren also trail Red Bull in the constructors’ championship by just 42 points, having steadily reduced the reigning champions’ lead in the weeks before the suspension.
When asked if he and his team felt a title win was within reach, Norris replied: “Of course, the teams’ championship.”
“The drivers’ championship is still within reach but there are a lot of points and it’s Max so I would be optimistic and say we still have a chance.”
“I know it’s going to be tough and it’s going to be a very tough challenge to perform, but I still want to believe in the way we performed and my belief that hopefully we can perform.”
“We’ve been patient with the upgrades.”
A significant upgrade for the MCL38 could improve Norris’ chances at Zandvoort, and for the rest of the season.
The impact of major team upgrades has been uneven this season, with Ferrari and Red Bull both struggling after introducing major packages, but Norris is confident McLaren’s patient approach will pay off.
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Norris took his first F1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
“There haven’t been any upgrades since Miami,” Norris said.
“We added some little features to the car, but nothing that could be considered an ‘upgrade.'”
“A lot of other teams have done that, especially our main rivals. In a good way, we’ve taken the time to figure things out.”
“We’ve seen teams add things to their cars and it doesn’t work, and we wanted to avoid that, so we’ve been patient.”
Norris focused on improving his starts
Verstappen won four of the first five races this season and looked on track to win a fourth consecutive drivers’ title, but McLaren have had better pace overall than Red Bull since Norris’ first F1 win in Miami.
However, Norris was unable to convert his pole positions in Spain and Hungary into victories, and was also defeated in Austria when Verstappen caused a collision between the pair which forced Norris to retire from the race.
“Looking back,” Norris said, “I’m fighting for the championship so I won’t be satisfied if I’m not performing at the level I need to to beat Max, Red Bull and the rest of them.”
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Check out the opening lap of the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri surged into the lead, while teammate Lando Norris dropped to third and Max Verstappen went off the track.
“I’m happy with how the season has gone, but we made one or two too many mistakes and conceded too many points. I’m not at this level to fight for the championship and to compete with drivers like Max.”
Asked about what he could improve, Norris added: “A lot of things, but just the start and the first lap. There’s nothing I need to change.”
“But then my chances were almost gone. After the first lap, the race was going very well overall, I had good pace and was happy with my strategy.”
“So there are some strong areas, but they’re overshadowed by a bad start, a bad turn one and trying to play it a bit safe and avoid some trouble.”
Sky Sports F1 Dutch Grand Prix Live Schedule
Friday, August 23
9.05am: F1 Academy: Practice 1
11am: Dutch Grand Prix Practice 1 (session starts at 11.30am)
2:45pm: Dutch Grand Prix Practice 2 (session starts at 3pm)
4.25pm: F1 Academy: Practice 2
5:15pm: F1 Show
Saturday, August 24
9.10am: F1 Academy: Qualifying
10.15am: Dutch Grand Prix Practice 3 (session starts at 10.30am)
1pm: Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying Preparations
2pm: Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying
4pm: F1 Academy: Race 1
Sunday, August 25
9.40am: F1 Academy: Race 2
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparations for the Dutch Grand Prix
2pm: Dutch Grand Prix
4pm: The chequered flag: Dutch GP reactions
Formula 1 is back from the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix taking place this weekend in Zandvoort, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.
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