Lando Norris rues ‘pretty pants’ performance in Las Vegas and admits he and his McClaren team were not ‘mentally ready’ to win the World Drivers’ Championship as he congratulates rival Max Verstappen on sealing a fourth title

Lando Norris congratulated rival Max Verstappen after the Red Bull star sealed his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship on Saturday evening.

Norris finished fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one place ahead of Verstappen, but that result left the 2024 leader 63 points ahead, with just 60 points left to play for.

Speaking to Sky Sports in Vegas, Norris said: ‘Congratulations to Max, even if it hurts a little, saying congratulations doesn’t hurt, but knowing that the championship is 100% over, you always have a little hope.

“He had an incredible season and if you had the fastest car he dominated, and if he didn’t he was still there and always on my heels. He made my life difficult, we made it difficult at times, I’m sure, but he had a better season.’

Reflecting on Saturday’s race in Vegas, Norris added: “The race was pretty boring, bad pace, grip, tire management, just a bad weekend from us.”

‘I didn’t even expect to be in the title fight. I was happy with how calm I was and how focused I was. There’s definitely more pressure and more eyes, nerves and demands on me to make sure I go out and don’t screw up qualifying or make a mistake in the race, keep racing in the race, don’t let yourself get taken out.

Max Verstappen (right) finished behind Norris but was still crowned world champion

‘You have to drive better when you reach that point and I feel like I have done that almost perfectly since Zandvoort.’

Norris has won two of the last twelve races, while Verstappen finished first only once in that period.

However, Verstappen won seven of the first ten races of 2024, while Norris only won the Miami Grand Prix in that period.

“There are things I need to improve on, as always, but I feel I have done well, especially in the second half of the season,” McLaren ace Norris reflected.

‘The first half we were suddenly like ‘oh, we’re fighting them [Red Bull]“I don’t think I or we as a team were mentally ready to fight the big boys and execute perfectly.

“As much as we would like to believe we were ready, we weren’t and we kind of paid the price.

‘It was us there who fought against Max and no one else. We started the season as the worst of the top four teams and ended up being the most consistent and probably the best team.

“I’m prouder than anything and I don’t regret anything.

Norris finished sixth at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, while George Russell won Saturday’s race

Red Bull superstar Verstappen has now won four consecutive World Drivers’ Championships

‘Even if it had been a perfect year for me, we couldn’t have won the championship this year, I think Max drove too well.

‘Red Bull and the team did too well for us and it was simply lost in the first six races, the points difference is what it is now, but after six races.

‘I’m still happy that it was us and that we fought well. I’m looking forward to being there next year.’

Despite Norris claiming his team is not ready to compete with Red Bull this year, McLaren currently sits atop the 2024 constructors’ standings with two races remaining.