Lando Norris has issued a defiant message to Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s title decider in Abu Dhabi, insisting he will not modify either his mindset or approach despite a challenging outing in Qatar that tightened the margins in the championship fight.
With only 12 points separating the Briton from the four-time world champion, and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri still in mathematical contention, the 2024 Formula One title will be settled at Yas Marina under intense scrutiny.
Yet Norris is adamant he remains firmly in control of the contest.
The McLaren driver arrives in the Gulf following a subdued performance at Lusail, where uncharacteristic errors, strategic misfortune and a weekend that lacked his usual sharpness allowed Verstappen and Piastri to close the gap.
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Norris had gone into the Qatar round with a chance to seal a maiden world championship, but a third-place finish in the Sprint and fourth in Sunday’s Grand Prix ensured the battle would roll into the final race.
Despite the setback, the 26-year-old has been bullish in the build-up to Abu Dhabi, signalling to Verstappen that he has no intention of driving defensively or adopting a conservative strategy to preserve his advantage.
Those close to the team suggest there is quiet confidence within McLaren that the MCL60’s performance profile suits Yas Marina more than Lusail, reinforcing Norris’s determination to race on his own terms.
Lando Norris has issued a defiant message to Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s title decider in Abu Dhabi, insisting he will not modify either his mindset or approach despite a challenging outing in Qatar that tightened the margins in the championship fight
|REUTERS
He is also drawing on a string of superb results - including consecutive victories in Mexico City and São Paulo - that had placed him on the brink of the title prior to the last two rounds.
“It’s the same as every weekend. I try and beat them, they try and beat me. It’s nothing different," he said.
The season-long duel has been shaped by fine margins, none more controversial than the double disqualification of both McLarens at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where excessive plank wear erased a second-place finish for Norris and denied him an opportunity to clinch the championship early.
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F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWSQatar compounded that frustration, with McLaren choosing not to pit under the early Safety Car - a decision that hindered both vehicles and, according to team analysis, cost Piastri a likely win.
Norris is believed to have held internal discussions with the team about the call but remains outwardly composed, mindful that unity is crucial heading into the finale.
The Briton also recognises that Verstappen - chasing a fifth consecutive world title - represents the sternest possible opponent, yet maintains he will not adjust his approach simply because the Red Bull driver is the man pursuing him.
He has also dismissed the notion that pressure from Verstappen will shape the championship showdown.
Max Verstappen boosted his hopes of F1 title glory with his triumph in Qatar | REUTERSAfter the race in Qatar, Norris reflected on both the disappointment of the weekend and the broader context of his season, offering a candid assessment of his form, his errors, and the strategic dilemmas that unfolded.
He acknowledged that this was not his sharpest performance but stressed it does not diminish the platform he has built.
Norris said: “There’s nothing I can do about it. Obviously, not our greatest day, not our greatest weekend.
"But I’ve had… I don’t know if anyone saw the run of results I had before that were great. I’ve put myself in this position, I’m still happy. It wasn’t our finest day, it wasn’t my finest weekend in terms of driving and putting things together, but that’s life. Everyone has bad weekends so I take it on the chin, we all take it on the chin, and we’ll see what we can do next weekend.”