Title rivals Lando Norris and Max Verstappen talk at the Qatar Grand Prix (Image: Getty)
driver has previously refused to accept that is the dominant force in F1 because he’s simply a better driver. The man eventually finished 63 points clear of Norris in the drivers’ standings, winning a fourth consecutive world title with two races to spare.
That’s despite the British team appearing to be superior in pace in the latter half of the campaign, with Norris briefly threatening to haul down the Dutchman’s lead.
That didn’t materialise, but did finish the season with a first constructors’ crown since 1998.
Norris, who ended the 2023 season still without a Grand Prix win to his name, still enjoyed a breakthrough campaign as he notched his first four F1 victories. But in interview with the Athletic in October, he was defensive when asked why he was struggling to keep pace with Verstappen in the standings, also citing seven-time world champion in his answer.
“They’ve experienced a lot more,” he said. “They’ve experienced a lot more in Formula 1. But it’s more experiencing situations and dealing with situations that I haven’t experienced yet.
“It’s not so much that because they’ve been driving a car longer, they’re better drivers. It’s more certain situations where you’re racing against people or you have to make decisions.”
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Norris won four F1 races this year. (Image: Getty)
The last eight F1 titles have now been shared between Verstappen and Hamilton. The last season that an alternate name to those two was on the trophy was in 2016, when prevailed over his British team-mate before immediately retiring.
Norris, 25, has been criticised this year for making errors as he pushed in races, and relations also got spiky between him and Verstappen after a number of racing incidents between the pair. But before the season ended, he also insisted he was working hard to make adjustments.
“I’m probably working more than ever on every area to try to improve and eliminate as many weaknesses as possible,” he said. “Life hasn’t changed per se, but I’m just trying to work in a different way and perform better. It’s as simple as that.”
Don’t miss…
Verstappen and Norris had previously been considered close friends before their title battle. And this week, the man insisted that notion had not been affected, and blamed “social media idiots” for exaggerating tensions.
“Lando and I, we got on very well,” he told the Talking Bull podcast. “Of course, at times it got a bit tense on track but off the track, that shouldn’t matter. We always try to do the best we can on track to get the best possible result.”