Ex-Red Bull driver pin-points moment Max Verstappen amassed a ‘big advantage’ over Lando Norris in title race
Lando Norris despite being exceptional this campaign has failed to race like a champion against the prolific Max Verstappen.
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Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
The Ex-Formula 1 driver turned pundit Karun Chandhok has praised Red Bull driver Max Verstappen‘s performances this season. Verstappen leads the title race by 62 points to McLaren’s Lando Norris, with only three races remaining.
Max Verstappen has pulled through with his performances despite not having the fastest car on the grid. His recent victory at Interlagos witnessed a stellar performance in which he made up 17 places on the track. Lando Norris has also been brilliant but has fallen short of achieving greatness this campaign.
Karun Chandhok has since deemed Verstappen’s performances in the first five races to be the main differentiator between himself and Norris. Chandhok has said that the Brit could have had a better grip on the title if he was more consistent in the opening races.
The championship battle wasn’t lost on Sunday in Brazil, it was lost in the first five races. If you rewind the clock to the opening five races of the season, that’s where Verstappen really got this big advantage, very reminiscent of what we’ve seen from Jenson Button back in 2009. I think on the whole they can be pleased with the season they’ve had. They can be pleased with the points they scored.
Karun Chandhok told the Sky F1 podcast
Norris will nevertheless be happy with his efforts this year. He may not have been a true challenger to Verstappen and the title but has arguably gained the most learning. His aim will now be to make the best efforts in clinching the title early on in 2025.
McLaren’ Brazilian GP woes not all down to ‘bad luck’
Karun Chandhok has discredited luck as the claim for McLaren’s downfall at the Sao Paolo Grand Prix. The Papayas finished a disappointing P6 and P8, even though Lando Norris started in pole position for them.
I don’t think they [McLaren] could put that down to bad luck, honestly, on the Sunday [in Brazil]. Okay the red flag, but if he had the same pace as Verstappen, he would have passed the Alpines and passed George [Russell]. And frankly, if he had the same pace as Verstappen, he would have passed George in the first stint after losing the start. But we saw him go off the road, I think two or three different times. At the end, they didn’t have the pace to fight against his championship rival.
Karun Chandhok told the Sky F1 podcast
Chandhok believes that the Papayas did not have the pace to match the Red Bulls and the Ferraris at Interlagos a few weeks ago. The wet weather conditions did play a part in confusing their tactics, but ultimately it was not the only thing that mattered.
The Woking-based team still leads the constructors’ championship by 36 points. They are nevertheless being chased by Ferrari, which has been in fine form lately. The last three races will therefore be an exciting affair between them as Formula 1 nears a close this season.
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Yashraj Chowdhury
(599 Articles Published)