Why Lando Norris thinks he doesn’t ‘have what it takes’ to win an F1 title right now

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Lando Norris heads into the summer shutdown 78 points behind Max Verstappen. He’s extremely unlikely to win the 2024 championship from here.

Kimi Raikkonen came back from a similar margin in 2007 (relative to the scoring system), but that stands out as an extraordinary feat. Norris would need to gain 7.8 points per race just to equal the Red Bull driver.

That means that, even if he won every single Grand Prix between now and the end of the season, Verstappen could take the title by finishing second each time (fastest lap-dependent). As such, the constructors’ battle is likely to be a bigger story from Zandvoort onwards.

With Norris and Oscar Piastri consistently scoring big points, McLaren have narrowed the gap on Red Bull to 42. If Sergio Perez doesn’t improve considerably, it’s only a matter of time before the Woking outfit take the lead.

Verstappen dealt much of the damage in the drivers’ standings in the early rounds. He won four of the first five races, and five of the first seven.

But missed opportunities have plagued Norris since. Had he converted them, he’d be in with a realistic chance after the break.

Lando Norris says he’s making ‘too many mistakes’ to win championship

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Norris offered a strikingly honest assessment of his limitations. He doesn’t think he’s currently equipped to compete for a title.

The Briton claimed his first career win in Miami in May and has now amassed 21 podiums, in addition to three pole positions. Only Verstappen (nine) can better his haul of eight top-three finishes this year.

But Norris nonetheless feels that he needs to cut the ‘mistakes’ out of his driving to dethrone the Dutchman. He recognises the key areas he must address before he can bring McLaren their first drivers’ championship since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

It’s conceivable that Andrea Stella’s squad will enter next year as favourites. With few changes to the regulations over the winter, they can build on the Red Bull-beating potential they’ve shown this year.

“I can review and kind of reflect on my good things and also the things that I need to and have to improve if I want to be a contender,” Norris said. “Because at the minute, simply I don’t have what it takes because I’ve clearly made too many mistakes.

“But I know that. I don’t need people to tell me that. I know what I’ve got to improve on, but it’s about how I can work with the people around me who are there to support me to improve on these areas.

“So once I improve, then I’m confident things can look very, very strong. But at the minute, I definitely have those few areas to improve on.”

Lando Norris told to copy Nigel Mansell to hurt Oscar Piastri

Norris finished second in both Barcelona and Budapest despite starting on pole. He was quick enough to win both races, but left 14 points on the table.

A split-second strategic error cost him the victory, and seven more, in Montreal, while he could have won his home Grand Prix at Silverstone with a better tyre choice for his final stint. In the end, he finished third.

Looking at those four races alone, Norris could be 31 points better off, while Verstappen’s total falls by 17. That 58-point swing would put the gap at just 20, which is a slender lead.

Perhaps external observers are guilty of holding McLaren to too high a standard, but that’s the level required to beat Verstappen. And it’s vital that they learn their lesson heading into 2025.

There may be an internal threat to consider too. That’s why Peter Windsor has told Norris to emulate Nigel Mansell, and keep as many secrets as he can from the improving Oscar Piastri.