Lando Norris has revealed the week after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was “quite demoralizing” as he suffered a major blow to his championship hopes.
Norris is set to lose out to Verstappen in this year’s championship race as he trails the Dutchman by 62 points with three events remaining, starting with this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver has been slowly rounding Verstappen since the summer break, but sixth in rainy Brazil last time out and Verstappen’s remarkable win all but ended his championship chances.
“You have to learn to accept it,” said Norris, who needs to outscore Verstappen by at least three points on Sunday to retain the championship.
“I think two things made it tough for Brazil. One was to have something like that happen so late in the season. I think if it’s earlier in the season, it’s like that and you’ll just see what happens. But this was almost a defining moment for the championship.
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After Carlos Sainz’s crash brought out the safety car, Max Verstappen overtook Esteban Ocon to take the lead in the race in Brazil.
“I was quite depressed for a week after Brazil, because I realized that now things are out of my control, not necessarily within reach. It’s a hard realization when your hopes and your faith are so high that it is dashed. It was so sudden it was quite demoralizing and not the best feeling you learn to accept it, that’s life.
“I admitted, and I even admitted in Miami, that I was lucky to win in Miami in the Safety Car, and that’s the strategy you play.
“I think Brazil was a bit more successful in the trade. It’s not a race. Luck can be on your side. That’s life : So I don’t mind going your way one day.
Verstappen needs to outscore Norris by 60 or more points to win the championship on Sunday
Norris: I have what it takes to challenge for future F1 titles
Since the Miami Grand Prix in May, McLaren have had a car in contention for victory in many races, but Norris has been left with an 84-point deficit at the halfway point of the season with 12 rounds to go.
He reduced that to 44 points after winning the Sprint in Brazil, but was unable to convert pole position into victory for the main race as Verstappen came back from 17th to stand on the top step of the podium for the first time in 10 races.
“I think it’s the first time in the last six years of Formula 1 that we’ve had the chance to fight at the front, we haven’t been able to do that in the last six years,” Norris said.
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On the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Bernie Collins discusses areas for improvement for McLaren and Norris ahead of next season.
“So this is our first chance to do it and my first chance to see where I stand. And I definitely wasn’t at the level I should have been at the beginning of the year, and even the Miami point of the season.
“Since the summer break, I feel like I’ve done a lot of good work and some of the best performances I’ve done. So I’ve been really happy with how the last few months have gone, to be honest “.
Norris has taken seven poles but only three wins this year and believes he now has “less to lose” in Las Vegas.
With F1 rules remaining the same in 2025, a similar arrangement is expected next year to allow Norris to appear in another title race.
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Martin Brundle believes Verstappen was “in a class” when he won the Sao Paulo GP and Norris will have a lot to learn ahead of a new championship challenge next season.
“I wouldn’t change a lot of things that happened (this year). But I still have to make adjustments,” he continued.
“I still have to improve. You know, I’m not entirely happy with what I’m doing. But, for the first time, I’m sure. that I have what I think I need to fight for the championship.
“It doesn’t mean I’m perfect, that’s for sure. And when you’re racing with drivers who are close to it, like Max, you have to be close to perfect if you want to challenge him and challenge the teams around us.
“So I’m confident and I think the main thing I can take away is that I have the belief that I’ve got what it takes to fight for the championship.”
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Take a look at what went wrong for Norris to cost him a chaotic São Paulo Grand Prix win
Norris: Las Vegas must match Ferrari
Barring any major setback for Verstappen, the focus will be on the Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren leading Ferrari by 36 points and Red Bull 49 points adrift of the leaders.
McLaren have not won the title since 1998 and Ferrari since 2008, so winning the championship this year would mean a lot for both teams.
“Ferrari has been strong for a long time. They have two very good drivers. They are a very good team,” Norris said.
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David Croft believes that if Verstappen wins the drivers’ championship in Las Vegas, nothing should detract from his “genius”.
“They’ve obviously improved their car and found a better direction to go down. And they’ve probably caught up with us and some races are a bit better, some races a bit behind, some races the same as the competition.
“I think maybe a little bit with them, but we’re close. Red Bull is close at the same time. So they can perform better on the weekend.
“But we know that Vegas is probably a track that suits the Ferraris a bit more. It suited them well last year. But Qatar, we know, might be more favorable for us.”
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Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are both “positive” that the Las Vegas track will be strong for Ferrari in the constructors’ championship hunt.
Last year in Las Vegas, Charles Leclerc took pole and battled for victory, but conceded second place to Verstappen.
Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz was unlucky when he ran over a metal drain cover in practice but had to change engines, so was given a 10-place penalty and recovered to sixth, even after spinning on the first lap.
The long straight to the Las Vegas strip and the importance of traction should once again fit the Ferrari car’s specifications.
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“It’s definitely possible, but we’re not focusing on that. We’re focusing step by step and race by race,” Leclerc said. Sky Sports F1.
“We have a positive feeling on this track. We think we will be strong, but that doesn’t mean we will dominate the weekend. It was too close with Red Bull and McLaren.
“We just have to be in front of them, do better than they do, then at the end of the year we’ll do the maths. But the constructors are definitely the target.”
Sky Sports F1 live Las Vegas GP schedule
Friday, November 22
02:00: Las Vegas GP practice one
At 4.30. Press conference of team directors
5.45: Las Vegas GP Practice Two*
7.15: F1 show*
Saturday, November 23
2.15: Las Vegas GP practice three*
5:00: Las Vegas GP Qualifying*
06:00. LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX QUALITY DEPARTMENT*
8:00: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday, November 24
4.30. Grand Prix Sunday. Las Vegas GP Rally*
6:00: LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
8 am: checkered flag. Las Vegas GP Reaction*
9:00: Teddy’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend live on Sky Sports F1 where Max Verstappen could seal the championship. Stream the last three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. no contract, cancel anytime
