Last Updated on October 14 2024, 12:56 pm

A quick glance at the Formula One drivers’ standings would suggest from history that Max Verstappen has enough points already chalked up to take this season’s title and his fourth drivers’ F1 world championship. Yet the rapid progression made by McLaren over the second third of the season and the haul of points both their drivers bring has already turned the constructors’ race on its head.

McLaren now lead Red Bull by 41 points and Norris trails Verstappen by 52 points with six race weekends remaining of this year’s competition. Yet had McLaren made some tough decisions to favour Lando Norris over his team mate, the gap should stand at just 42 points.

The question remains whether McLaren are becoming more race hardened and should the situation arise in COTA or beyond where Piastri is ahead of Norris , will the papaya liveried team this time reverse the order of their drivers?

 

 

 

Norris cautioned over being ‘too emoptional’

Even if McLaren make the tough calls going forward questions remain over whether Lando Norris is mentally tough enough to take the world title fight to the ruthless Max Verstappen. The mcLaren driver has developed a reputation in the paddock for being too harsh on himself, something Jenson Button picked up on following his emotional interview at this year’s British Grand Prix.

Post race an emotional Norris bemoaned “throwing the race away” despite McLaren having the quickest car, something the 2009 world champion believes is damaging to Lando. 

“Lando needs to be a little bit careful with his emotions,” said Button on Sky Sports F1. “He is putting himself down massively at the last race, [and] this race, it can quite easily spiral out of control.

“We know how important it is to have your head in the right place. He is so talented that I don’t want him to be too down on himself so that he is not back up there at the next race.”

New Red Bull car details revealed

 

 

 

Marko calls out Norris “mental weaknesses”

Button suggested this kind of demeanour would encourage Norris competitors. “That’s a weakness that you don’t want to show. It’s lovely that he’s open with his emotions and it’s great for us viewers.”

Yet Button cautioned Lando from being too open given at times it appears like he is not tough enough because his rivals will take advantage. 

Now Dr. Helmut Marko has taken up the theme suggesting the McLaren driver has demonstrable “mental weaknesses.” When asked by Motorsport Magazine who will take F1’s racing crown he was adamant: “Verstappen”.

“He is the best, he’s the fastest and, above all, he has the mental strength to theoretically fight for the world championship more than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. We know Norris has some mental weaknesses. I’ve read about some of the rituals he needs to do to perform well on race day.”

Binotto calls “The End” for Red Bull

 

 

 

McLaren driver says “its against Red Bull”

Last time out Norris blitzed the F1 field in Singapore finishing ahead of his nearest challenger by a season’s record breaking time difference. Although Verstappen did what was required by finishing second to the McLaren driver.

As it stands should Norris win every Grand Prix, each of the Sprints and claim the fastest lap six times, Max Verstapopoen will just retain his world championship. Of course that is a highly unlikely scenario and with Verstappen probably taking an engine penalty in Brazil, there will be ups and downs as the season comes to a close.

Despite the naysayers, Norris was defiant following his high victory in Singapore. “I still have a lot of points I’ve got to catch up and it’s not going to be easy to do it,” he told Sky F1.

“It’s against Red Bull and it’s against Max, the most dominant pairing you’ve ever seen in Formula One, from last year. And that’s not necessarily changed in terms of… It’s the same team and it’s the same driver.”

Binotto says Schumacher in the frame

 

 

 

Steiner says 60/40 Norris favour

Lando acknowledges he faces the toughest competition that Formula One has ever seen and that his team is currently doing a better job with the car than the world champions. 

“But that’s just credit to the team doing an amazing job and being smarter and doing cooler things and creating mini-DRS flaps and stuff. I’m working my heart out, I’m working my butt off, to try and make sure that happens. He’s trying to make sure it doesn’t happen. So we’ll have to wait and find out,” Norris concludes.

Geunther Steiner is promoting his latest book this week and on a flying trip to London he had time to reflect on the current F1 title race.

“Lando can do it. He needs to do races without mistakes and needs a little bit of help from Ferrari. They can steal points from Max. In Singapore Ferrari were faster than Max but messed up qualifying so they couldn’t get there.

“I give it 60/40 in Lando’s favour. He is very talented. This year he has made a few mistakes. I think that’s normal because until you get there (title fight), you don’t know [what to do].”

Extraordinary: Horner blames Newey for Red Bull troubles

 

 

 

‘It could be Piastri next year’

Steiner reflects on Hamilton’s early years and how it took time for him to become a consistent winner. “Look at Max until he was a consistent winner. Lewis as well. Lando and McLaren in general need to believe more that they can win. I have spoken to Zak [Brown, owner] about this. They are a little bit humble. It seems like they almost can’t believe they are in this position.”

Of course a single DNF for Verstappen and a podium finish for Norris would make the situation even more doable for McLaren, yet Steiner believes the team yet needs to toughen up. “If you believe you can win, you tell everybody and go and do it. At some stage you need to take it on and say we are the best.”

The ex-Haas F1 boss urges Norris to strike while he can because his team Aussie team mate may be the McLaren driver ahead next season. “Oscar Piastri is so good. Nothing fazes him. It’s almost boring for him.”

Red Bull exited Newey on the quiet

 

 

 

COTA stewards to defy FIA latest instructions

The 2024 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will be predominately remembered for two significant instances. Firstly, it was the first time since the inaugural running of the modern event in 2008 where race control did not deploy the safety car.

Secondly, the weekend was dominated by Max Verstappen being sanctioned for swearing in the FIA press conference on Thursday. The world champion was ordered to perform a day of ‘community service’ which as yet is to be defined by the FIA.

Prior to the Grand Prix weekend, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had angered certain paddock folk when he took a stand on profanity from the drivers… READ MORE