P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris has denied Max Verstappen’s claim he would have sealed the F1 Drivers’ Championship even sooner than he did driving the McLaren car in 2024.
Verstappen and Norris were locked in a fierce battle this season, with Norris struggling to fully capitalize on his car’s advantage to close the points gap between them. Despite Verstappen’s early dominance, McLaren’s improved performance later on shifted the momentum in their favor. Verstappen believed he would have clinched the title earlier with McLaren’s car, but Norris disagrees, emphasizing the unprecedented challenge he faced in overcoming the point difference. Norris praised Verstappen’s skills but believes his chances would have been better against a different driver. McLaren’s progress under Andrea Stella gives Norris optimism for the future, even as challenges from Verstappen, Ferrari, and Piastri loom. Norris is confident in his improvements and performance level, aiming to contend for the championship in the upcoming seasons.
