Norris ‘wasn’t ready’ to fight Verstappen for F1 title

Lando Norris has conceded he was not "outright ready" to challenge Max Verstappen for the F1 drivers' championship this season.

The McLaren driver trails the three-time F1 champion by 62 points with three rounds remaining, leaving only a slim chance of securing his maiden crown.

The 25-year-old, however, was adamant that he is now ready to fight against the Dutchman, whilst also highlighting that no other driver on the grid has been able to challenge Verstappen as closely as he has so early in their F1 career.

Despite Norris falling short of getting to within ultimate striking distance of the Red Bull driver, the 62-time grand prix winner has not faced a significant championship battle since his first title, when he controversially beat Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

"I probably wasn't outright ready to go up against Red Bull and Max," Norris reflected to media including RacingNews365. "I think I am now, and it's probably too late to do that.

"Maybe there are the drivers in the past that were ready for such an occasion, but no-one has gone up against Max so early on in their career, halfway through the season, and put up a pretty reasonable fight.

"I'm there, but there's no one else doing it, so I've done my best. I've not done well enough, and I've always admitted that."

High praise for Verstappen

Norris underlined the size of the challenge facing those fighting Verstappen for a championship, arguing that F1 may never again see a driver of the 27-year-old's calibre.

The three-time grand prix winner also shared his belief that the level he has reached since the summer break is closer to what would be required in a season-long championship battle against Verstappen.

"Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1, and I don't think you'll get a much better driver than Max in Formula 1 ever again," he added. "That's my opinion, but that's what I believe in.

"For me to go up against that belief, to fight against that person that I know is so good, takes a bit more than what I probably achieved this season.

"But I think what I've done since the summer break is closer to what I need to be, and I think that is close to being good enough to fighting for it next year."