- Lando Norris came fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen sixth
- But Saturday’s result confirmed Verstappen as drivers’ world champion.
- McLaren driver Norris described his performance in Nevada as “nice pants”
Lando Norris congratulated rival Max Verstappen after the Red Bull star sealed his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers’ Championship on Saturday night.
Norris finished sixth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one place behind Verstappen, but that result left the 2024 leader 63 points clear with just 60 left to play.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Las Vegas, Norris said: “Congratulations to Max, as much as it hurts a little bit, saying congratulations doesn’t hurt, but knowing the championship is 100 per cent over, you always have a little bit of hope inside.” “.
“He had an incredible season and when he had the fastest car, he dominated and when he didn’t, he was still there and always on my heels.” “He made my life difficult, we made his life difficult at times, I’m sure, but he had a better season.”
Reflecting on Saturday’s competition in Las Vegas, Norris added: “The race was pretty tough, bad pace, grip, tire management, just a bad weekend on our part.”
“I didn’t even expect to be in the title fight. I was happy with how calm I was and how focused I was, there is definitely more pressure and more eyes, nerves and demands on me to make sure I go out and don’t screw up qualifying or make a mistake. mistake in the race, stay in the race, don’t let yourself be eliminated.
Lando Norris was not happy with his performance during Saturday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix
Max Verstappen (right) finished behind Norris but was still crowned world champion.
“You have to drive better when you get to that point and I feel like I have done that, I feel like since Zandvoort I have done an almost perfect job.”
Norris has won two of the last 12 races, while Verstappen has only finished first once during that period.
However, Verstappen took part in seven of the first 10 races of 2024, while Norris only won the Miami Grand Prix during that period.
“There are things I need to improve, as always, but I feel like I’ve done a good job, especially in the second half of the season,” reflected Norris, the McLaren ace.
“In the first half we suddenly thought, ‘Oh, we’re fighting against them (Red Bull).’ “I don’t think I or we as a team were mentally prepared to fight against the big guys and execute perfectly.
‘As much as we would like to believe we were prepared, we weren’t and we paid a bit of the price.
‘We were also there fighting Max and no one else. We started the season being the worst of the top four teams and ended up being the most consistent and probably the best team.
‘I’m prouder than anything else and I don’t regret anything.
Norris placed sixth at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, while George Russell won Saturday’s race.
Red Bull superstar Verstappen has won four consecutive world drivers’ championships.
“Even if it had been a perfect year for me, we couldn’t have won the championship this year, I think Max drove too well.
‘Red Bull and the team did too good a job for us and we simply lost in the first six races, the points difference is what it is now, but already after six races.
“I’m still happy it was us and we put up a good fight.” I’m looking forward to next year being there from the start.’
Despite Norris stating his team was not ready to compete with Red Bull this year, McLaren currently sit atop the 2024 constructors’ standings with two races remaining.