Lando Norris left Interlagos, the 21st round of the 2024 F1 season, with a bruised ego. The thrilling spectacle of the Brazilian Grand Prix will linger long in fans’ memories—a race whose outcome hung in the balance until the rain subsided, allowing Verstappen to pull away with a series of fast laps. The world champion’s performance was a showcase for the sport, proving that driver skill can still be decisive. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also delivered stellar performances given the technical limitations of their Alpine cars.
McLaren, however, didn’t fare well. On a track that favored them, the MCL38s struggled in the rain after dominating the Sprint Race in dry conditions. Everything seemed in place for McLaren to narrow the gap to Verstappen in the drivers’ standings and pull ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Wet qualifying on Sunday morning seemed like the perfect setup for a triumphant day, with Norris on pole and the world champion starting in 17th. It all seemed too good to be true.
F1, Norris’s Dreams Fade in São Paulo
Even before the lights went out, Norris made his first error, despite the race starting with an aborted start procedure. Passed by George Russell at the start, he cautiously followed his fellow Brit for several laps while Max climbed the ranks with impressive ease. The race’s turning point was undoubtedly the red flag following Franco Colapinto‘s crash under the Safety Car. The leading drivers opted not to pit for new intermediates, braving the tough conditions in hopes of a race neutralization.
Verstappen capitalized on a “free pit-stop” under the red flag, maintaining his position on track. This was a severe blow for Lando Norris, who seemed to lose his composure. When the race resumed, Norris made a slip that dropped him behind George Russell. What could have been a triumphant run turned into a disaster, as the Bristol-born driver ended up behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, which was objectively slower than the MCL38.
São Paulo effectively marked the end of Norris’s title hopes in the most dispiriting way for the Woking team. In essence, Norris proved unprepared for the role his car’s unexpected competitiveness had given him since Imola. As previously noted, the psychological gap between being able to win and needing to win makes all the difference in F1.
Regrettably, Norris once again showed an inability to accept defeat. While the sport’s greats paid due tribute to the three-time world champion, Lando Noris dismissed Max Verstappen’s achievement as a stroke of luck, referencing the red flag that allowed the Dutchman to change tires without losing time. This view was absurd; Max’s performance embodied qualities Norris lacks: mental strength, skill, and sheer determination.
A more dignified response would have been to acknowledge the rival’s talent, but the young Briton has been thrust into a role he isn’t yet ready to play—if he ever will be. It’s not about speed, which Lando Norris often shows, but about being a complete champion. Right now, one thing is clear: there’s a vast gulf between the reigning world champion and the British driver. Everyone acknowledged this after Interlagos, except for him. Norris leaves Brazil defeated on track and in spirit.
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