Has Lando Norris let too many points slip in 2024 title battle with Max Verstappen?

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Lando Norris and McLaren have emerged as Formula 1’s new power couple, superseding the dominant force of Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

The MCL38 is undoubtedly the package to beat heading into the final 10 races of the season, but remarkably Lando Norris has only won the Miami Grand Prix.

In the last six races, the McLaren driver has come close to adding to his tally of victories, but a series of strategy mishaps and unforced errors have prevented him from taking home a full points haul.

Norris has often cut a downbeat figure after races and it is understandable given he is currently 78 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship, but that could have been far smaller.

Where has Lando Norris lost the most points?

Out of the six occasions that he could have won, Norris was leading the race three times in scenarios that could have been converted into victories.

The Canadian Grand Prix is the most obvious example of a race that got away from Norris. Having taken the lead after a brilliant stint on the Intermediate tyres in the changeable conditions, McLaren misjudged a Safety Car call and left him out for an extra lap.

The time spent behind the Safety car meant he lost out to Verstappen and George Russell, who emerged ahead and relegated him to third. Norris would go on to finish second, despite coming close to overtaking Verstappen for the win.

In similar conditions at the British GP, Norris would give up the lead to Lewis Hamilton and would later commit a strategic error during the final round of stops onto dry tyres. Jolyon Palmer noted how the team radio was ‘chaotic’ between Norris and engineer Will Joseph, which led to them choosing the wrong tyre.

The call would enable Verstappen to overtake him for second, causing Norris to finish third and sacrifice 10 points at a race McLaren CEO Zak Brown felt they should have won.

At the Hungarian GP, Norris had a bad start due to a system glitch which enabled Oscar Piastri to take the lead. His opportunity to win would come later when McLaren decided on an unconventional pit strategy that favoured Norris over leader Piastri.

In an attempt to rectify the order, McLaren demanded to Norris that he give the position back to his teammate. Norris obliged after several laps of pleading, but it was yet another seven points lost.

Can Lando Norris win another race this year?

For the first time in his career, Norris is experiencing what it is like to have a car that is capable of winning races on merit and can fight for titles.

This means the spotlight is more intense, with mistakes easier to make while also more likely to be latched onto by fans and media alike. Norris has admitted that he might not have what it takes yet, which is potentially why McLaren is more focused on the Constructors’ battle.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

His DNF at the Austrian GP was a notable blow in his title aspirations. McLaren executed the perfect strategy while Red Bull fumbled, but following a collision with Verstappen after a move under braking he is known for making, it undid all that good work.

It is impossible to state that Norris could have won all six but had Norris won at least four, it is very possible that the title battle with Verstappen would look very different. Instead of being 78 points behind Verstappen, he would likely be just 14 points adrift with 12 races remaining.