P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen says his F1 championship fight with Lando Norris feels “very different” to when he battled Lewis Hamilton down to the wire to take his first drivers’ title in 2021.
Max Verstappen has emphasized the differences between his current 2024 F1 championship battle with Lando Norris and his victorious 2021 title challenge against Lewis Hamilton. This season feels distinct from three years ago when he clinched his first world title, showcasing a significant contrast. While he cruised to victory in 2022 and 2023, breaking records with Red Bull, this year has taken on a new dynamic with McLaren’s advancements in Miami altering the championship landscape. Red Bull’s struggles with the RB20 have allowed Norris to narrow the gap to Verstappen from 84 to 52 points, as the championship race heats up. With Ferrari and Mercedes also contenders for wins, Verstappen finds himself in a more relaxed state compared to his intense battle with Hamilton in 2021, aiming to defend his lead while noting the broader competition in 2024.
