In 2020, Lando Norris stirred controversy by claiming Lewis Hamilton’s dominance was largely due to having to “beat just one or two drivers” to win races. The comment sparked backlash from the F1 community, as many felt it undermined Hamilton’s achievements. Now, four years on, Norris has walked back those remarks, offering a fresh perspective after facing his own competitive battles.
Speaking to The Race, Norris admitted his previous statement didn’t reflect his current understanding of the challenges drivers face at the top. “For anyone who knows me, that’s definitely not how I think,” Norris clarified. “It’s as tough as I imagined, because so many things can easily go against you, even when you have the best car.”
This year, Norris found himself battling rivals like Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. Despite driving one of the most competitive cars on the grid, Norris has struggled to consistently dominate, highlighting just how fine the margins are in Formula 1.
“Make one mistake in a Q3 lap, and you’re not on pole when you should have been,” he explained. “You don’t have a perfect start, and suddenly you’re P2 instead of P1. It’s these little things that make winning far harder than it looks.”
While Norris insists the MCL38 isn’t the fastest car on the grid, he acknowledges the immense pressure of competing at the highest level. Reflecting on Hamilton’s 2020 dominance, Norris admitted that the Mercedes W11 was miles ahead of the competition. However, he now appreciates that Hamilton’s consistency and ability to capitalize on every opportunity were key to his success.
This isn’t the first time Norris has raised eyebrows with his comments. Earlier this season, he mocked Hamilton after the Hungarian GP, misinterpreting a compliment about McLaren’s speed as a complaint about Mercedes’ struggles. Similarly, after Verstappen’s sensational win in Sao Paulo from P17, Norris dismissed the performance as “luck.”
Though Norris has earned a reputation for bold statements, his latest remarks suggest a growing respect for the challenges his rivals have overcome—a sign of maturity as he continues to evolve in his Formula 1 career.
