Max Verstappen clinched his fourth world championship in 2024 with two races to spare, but his journey wasn’t without challenges. His closest rival, Lando Norris, fell short due to a mix of personal mistakes and McLaren’s missteps. Despite securing four race wins, Norris’ inability to savor his victories left Verstappen unimpressed.

Reflecting on the season in a post-season documentary, Verstappen remarked, “You have to realize a race win in F1 won’t always come as easy like 1, 2, 3. That’s why I think it’s important to keep cheering every win. It’s not normal—you have to take in the fact it could be your last.”

Verstappen, who dominated 2023 with a record-breaking 19 wins out of 22 races, admitted he once took winning for granted. However, the tougher competition in 2024 taught him to value every triumph, regardless of the championship standings.

For Lando Norris, 2024 marked a breakthrough year. He secured his first-ever F1 win in Miami and later claimed three more victories, including a dominant performance in Singapore that briefly closed the gap to Verstappen to just 52 points. Yet, Norris’ celebrations remained muted as he focused entirely on chasing the title.

After his win in Zandvoort, Norris explained his subdued reaction. “If I was completely out of the championship, I probably would’ve celebrated more. But knowing it meant something bigger, it just felt like a smaller achievement on that day,” he shared with Formula1.com.

Despite his efforts, Norris ultimately fell short in the Drivers’ Championship. However, his relentless drive, paired with Oscar Piastri’s performance, propelled McLaren to their first Constructors’ title since 1998.

While Verstappen emphasized enjoying the journey, Norris’ all-or-nothing approach highlighted the pressures of fighting for a championship. Both drivers showcased their unique mindsets, but as Verstappen pointed out, celebrating victories—no matter how small—might be the key to sustaining success in Formula 1’s ever-challenging landscape.