F1 Pundit pinpoints ‘psychologically hard’ aspect in Lando Norris’ 2024 title bid
Martin Brundle gave his thoughts on Lando Norris, highlighting the psychological impact of team orders on Oscar Piastri and credibility.
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Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen‘s incredible Brazilian GP win coupled with Lando Norris‘s sixth-place finish has hung the latter’s championship hopes on a thread. The Briton was in a fierce battle with the Dutchman and was looking to close the gap in the drivers’ standings.
However, the unpredictable Brazilian GP turned it in the favor of Verstappen, nearly ending Norris” title hopes. F1 pundit Martin Brundle gave his opinion on the McLaren driver’s 2024 title bid and the team’s decision to prioritize him over Oscar Piastri.
McLaren prioritized Lando Norris when they recognized the car’s potential and saw him in contention for the F1 title. However, when Oscar Piastri won the Hungarian GP, questions arose about why team orders weren’t used then.
While McLaren aimed to boost the Brit’s title chances, there were concerns that favoring him too early could hurt Piastri’s growth and morale. Norris himself made it clear earlier that he prefers to win on merit, not through team orders.
Ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle backed McLaren’s approach, saying the Brit wouldn’t want a title won through team orders. He argued constantly favoring the 24-year-old over Piastri would harm his psychological state and damage his credibility within the team.
Lando was very clear, ‘I don’t want to win a world championship because my team-mate had to keep gifting me stuff here and there. And McLaren know they can’t just park a great talent like Oscar Piastri as second in the team and have to yield at every opportunity because it’s really hard psychologically to get over that and keep your credibility and reputation intact.
Martin Brundle said (via SkySportsF1)
After years of struggling, McLaren have fought their way back to the front. With a competitive car and a strong driver lineup, they are now serious contenders for the Constructors’ Championship. Brundle believes McLaren has learned a lot this year, having faced many setbacks.
McLaren have learned a bit this year as well, being front-runners for the first time in a very, very long time, but they certainly haven’t hampered Lando. They have given Lando every bit of support he needed and the car, which has been very fast.
Martin Brundle added
Eddie Jordan believes Lando Norris must use the ‘long and hard’ winter break to improve himself
Max Verstappen’s brilliant performance at the Brazilian GP left Eddie Jordan in awe. He admitted that he was speechless, describing Verstappen as being on an entirely different level. At the same time, he had some advice for Lando Norris, urging him to refine his skills during the winter break before the Las Vegas GP.
While the growing points gap may have hindered the Brit’s morale, Jordan emphasized that he shouldn’t dwell on it. Though winning the title seems nearly impossible, the 76-year-old believes Norris must use this season as a learning experience.
Lando has to look at himself long and hard this winter in the mirror and say to himself, ‘If I’m going to be a great world champion, I have a lot to learn here and I need to start replaying those videos about what it really is like to be hard, tough and victorious. And I’m sorry [but] at this moment in time, he hasn’t got it.
Eddie Jordan said (via Formula For Success Podcast)
The 2024 season is now heating up with just three races and one sprint remaining. Max Verstappen leads the title race with a 62-point advantage over Lando Norris.
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Gaurang Kadam
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