"With McLaren I would have won the world championship even earlier". Max Verstappen he had expressed himself this way after the Las Vegas GP that saw him win his fourth consecutive title. And, after a statement like that, the response from those who drive it, that McLaren, was not lacking. "He should have been a comedian or something.”, Lando declared Norris on the eve of Qatar GP. “Max can say what he wants, but I absolutely disagree. He is a great driver, but what he said is not true”.
Norris: “We didn’t deserve the title, but we’re on the right track”

The McLaren driver acknowledged that the car had been among the fastest for much of the season, but stressed that, especially in the first half of the year, it was unable to compete with Red Bull. “When I was winning, Max was second or third. When he was winning, I was fifth or sixth. I don’t think we could or deserved to win the drivers’ title this year.”, explained Norris. Despite this, the British driver was optimistic about the future: “I am confident that, for the first time in my career, we will enter a new season with the aim of really fighting for the title”. Title which, in the meantime, may arrive this weekend in Qatar, although it is “limited” to the constructors’ classification.
Norris also highlighted the difficulties and pressures that come with having a competitive teammate like Oscar Piastri, who is capable of two wins in 2024, just one less than him. “Oscar and I push each other, and that’s key to improving. Max, on the other hand, doesn't have anyone who really puts him under pressure within the team.. This frees him from internal comparisons, but at the same time can limit him in certain aspects of development”.
Verstappen's response

Verstappen's counter-response was even quicker to arrive. “Norris’s response doesn’t surprise me, but no one has to answer. I know perfectly well what I can and cannot do. We don't need to waste time trying to insult people or anything like that.”.