McLaren’s Lando Norris says he has not been driving like a champion

ZANDVOORT – McLaren’s Lando Norris has assessed his performance so far this season as not being good enough for someone with Formula One championship aspirations.

The 24-year-old Briton is three-time world champion Max Verstappen’s closest rival in the drivers’ standings after 14 of 24 races, but still 78 points behind the Red Bull driver.

“After the first half of the season I have not performed at the level of a world champion and it is as simple as that,” he said on Aug 22 ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

“At certain times I have, and many races I have done (well) but little things have let me down and I cannot afford that. I know that, and I am not happy... because I want to win.”

Norris took his first F1 win in Miami in May but has had four second places since then. Australian teammate Oscar Piastri has performed better in the last four races, with a first win in Hungary in July and two second places.

“There are plenty of things I have looked at, and worked on to come back stronger,” added Norris.

“My opportunities have gone away from me at the starts... a bad start, a bad Turn 1, or trying to be too safe and stay out of trouble. I need to be perfect to compete against the guys we are competing against.”

Despite his downbeat self-appraisal, he said he still felt both championships were in reach.

McLaren are only 42 points behind Red Bull and their car is now possibly the quickest with an upgrade for Zandvoort, Verstappen’s home race and one the Dutch driver has won from pole for the past three years.

“Knowing how I can perform when things click and go well, then I still want to believe it is possible,” said Norris.

Verstappen, meanwhile, is set to start his 200th F1 race in front of his home fans on Aug 25, at the age of just 26, but he has no intention of doubling the tally.

He gave a blunt ‘No’ when asked whether he saw himself reaching 400, a number well within his reach considering Fernando Alonso is still racing at 43 and Lewis Hamilton at 39.

“It’s been already an incredible ride,” he said, adding that he wanted to see how new regulations, due in 2026, worked out and would keep everything open on his plans.

For now, he is focusing on his home race, and he is expecting a tough one.

Mercedes have won three of the last four races and McLaren are a threat with their upgrade, with Red Bull on a four-race losing streak.

“I’m not coming into this weekend saying that we’re going to win the race. I mean, it’s very close,” Verstappen admitted. “But that’s how the season is already, it’s a lot more competitive.” REUTERS, AFP