Max Verstappen claims losing 2024 title to Lando Norris ‘won’t change his life’
Lando Norris currently trails Max Verstappen by 70 points in the 2024 driver's standings.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen has been on a roll since winning his maiden championship in 2021. The Dutchman won the next two titles with immense ease which increased the expectations for his 2024 campaign. Despite winning seven races this season, Lando Norris has started to catch up to him, warranting Red Bull to feel a bit scared. However, the reigning champion asserted that even if he lost the title to his rival, it would not make a huge difference in his life.
Lando Norris regularly contended for podiums since the start of the season but received his first breakthrough at Miami, when McLaren brought in a major upgrade package. This propelled him from being out of contention for the top three spots, to becoming a championship threat to Max Verstappen. Norris recently won the Dutch GP in front of the 26-year-old’s home fans with a massive 22.9 second margin.
In spite of the concerns, Verstappen retained his calm demeanor.
Seventy points, that can very quickly tip over. Do I want to win the title? Yes, of course. But if I don't win, it's not going to change my life either. I'm doing everything I can to make the car faster. But whether that's enough, I don't know. But the way things are going now, I didn't expect either, with such a start. We really have to do everything we can to sort this out, and we will. So I shouldn't expect to be in the lead I have now, I really want to win a few more races.Max Verstappen said in an interview as quoted by Nu.nl
The Dutchman claimed that he wanted to win the title but his advantage over Norris could not guarantee him the championship yet. He then asserted that he would do everything from his side to win the championship but he explained that it would not be detrimental and have a major change in his life.
Max Verstappen doesn’t like the proposal of rookie drivers’ sprint race
On the other hand, the paddock was resounded with the proposal of rookie drivers having a sprint race at Abu Dhabi after the end of the season. While multiple drivers were excited about the idea of a sprint race, the reigning champion seemed quite skeptical about the proposal.
The Dutchman gave a harsh reply to FOM’s idea of hosting a sprint race instead of holding the usual young driver’s test.
I don't know. I don't think everyone is excited after the final race. Then to do another race on Tuesday, I mean, if you want to give rookies a chance, just put them in the car.Max Verstappen via Motorsport.com
Verstappen asserted that no one is excited after the final race in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, holding a race on Tuesday would not be feasible as viewers would not join in and advised F1 to stick with the normal format.
Despite his claims, F1 is known to experiment with the formats for testing and race weekends. Thus, a change to the sprint race for rookie drivers would not come as a huge shock to the paddock.
In case you missed it:
- Max Verstappen asserts Adrian Newey’s shock exit not reason for Red Bull’s struggles
- Toto Wolff insists only ‘Max Verstappen is dominant’ despite Red Bull’ RB20 struggles
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)