Lando Norris admits: Red Bull would have dominated with a driver at Max Verstappen’s level. Red Bull ceded the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren, which claimed the F1 title. .

Lando Norris expressed his belief that Red Bull could have secured both Formula 1 world titles last year if they had a second driver on par with Max Verstappen. Although the Dutchman clinched his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, the Milton Keynes team slipped to third place in the Constructors’ Championship. This result was impacted by Sergio Perez‘s inconsistent performances, scoring just 49 points over the final 18 races of the season.

McLaren Capitalizes and Ends Red Bull’s Dominance
Taking advantage of the situation, McLaren secured its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, ending Red Bull’s supremacy. Norris acknowledged that Red Bull’s instability in their driver lineup played a significant role in this outcome. He told media outlets, including RacingNews365: “Red Bull probably would have won the Constructors’ Championship if they had two drivers as good as Max. It’s clear and evident. It shows that as a team, they probably still did the best job.”

The Challenge of Being Max Verstappen’s Teammate
Lando Norris highlighted the difficulty of being Max Verstappen’s teammate, noting that the Dutch driver has consistently outperformed all his teammates. He added: “It’s tough. Max has shown that whoever he’s faced, he’s beaten them. It’s hard for any teammate he’s had.”

Changes in Red Bull’s Driver Lineup
In response to disappointing performances, Red Bull decided to part ways with Sergio Perez at the end of the season, promoting young talent Liam Lawson as his replacement. Despite these changes, Norris stated that he was not interested in Red Bull’s internal matters, saying: “It has nothing to do with me; I don’t care. They can have whoever they want as a teammate.”

A More Competitive Championship Ahead
The recently concluded season saw increased competitiveness, with seven drivers winning multiple races. This rise in competition suggests that Verstappen’s dominance could be challenged. Additionally, significant driver market moves, such as Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, could further shake up the grid.

Norris’s remarks underscore the importance of a balanced driver lineup for success in the Constructors’ Championship. While Verstappen continues to showcase his individual superiority, Red Bull faces the challenge of ensuring both drivers contribute significantly to the team’s results. With Liam Lawson stepping in, it will be interesting to see how the team’s internal dynamics evolve and how this impacts the competition in the upcoming season.