Since the summer break, Lando Norris has emerged as Max Verstappen’s main competitor, racking up 80 points, which includes two race wins, while the Dutchman has accumulated 54 points without a victory during this period. Despite this, Verstappen still holds a 52-point advantage over Norris, with six races remaining in the season, three of which include Sprint events.
Momentum seems to be in McLaren’s favor at the moment, but Red Bull’s improved performance in Singapore has hinted that the Milton Keynes team could be poised for a comeback.
However, Red Bull’s chief advisor Helmut Marko remains confident that Verstappen’s skill and determination will carry him through the remainder of the season. When asked on Motorsport Magazin’s YouTube channel about his pick for the 2024 champion, Marko responded without hesitation: “Verstappen!”
“He’s the best, he’s the fastest, and, above all, he has the mental strength to theoretically fight for the world championship more than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.”
Marko further critiqued Norris, implying that the McLaren driver’s mindset could be a vulnerability in the high-pressure title fight. “We know Norris has some mental weaknesses,” Marko claimed. “I’ve read about some of the rituals he needs to do to perform well on race day.”
“You can see that McLaren has made a relatively large number of mistakes, both in terms of strategy and in the operational area. You have to learn that first. We lost the world championship in 2009, even though we had the faster car in the second half of the season because we weren’t yet mature and settled enough as a team,” he added.
| Helmut Marko says Lando Norris has "mental weaknesses" that will cost him the Championship.
Full quotes below:https://t.co/ws3HJNUDs7
— formularacers (@formularacers_) October 14, 2024
Although Marko didn’t provide details about these perceived weaknesses, his remarks appear to reference Norris’s own acknowledgments of experiencing pre-race nerves and anxiety.
Norris has been open about the mental challenges he faces within the pressure-cooker environment of F1, especially as he contends more frequently for wins and podium finishes. Despite acknowledging that nerves play a role, the 24-year-old emphasizes that they do not become overwhelming.
With six races remaining and a large number of points still available, the showdown between Verstappen and Norris is expected to go down to the wire. McLaren’s resurgence, along with Norris’s determination, is sure to keep the competition intense. However, Marko firmly believes that Verstappen’s mental fortitude will ultimately lead him to victory once again.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
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