As the Formula 1 season draws to a close, McLaren’s Lando Norris faces a crucial moment in his pursuit of a world championship title. With Max Verstappen poised to secure a fourth title at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris will need to take stock of what it will take to match the three-time reigning champion. To win the championship next year, Norris will have to improve in several areas where Verstappen currently holds an edge. One critical area is Norris’s performance in wet conditions, an aspect that former drivers and analysts believe could make or break his title ambitions.
Norris has demonstrated impressive skill this season, often taking advantage of McLaren’s improved form. However, despite McLaren’s strong showing, Norris has been unable to fully capitalize on Red Bull’s inconsistencies. After Verstappen’s dominant start to the season, Norris has closed the gap but still trails by 62 points—a deficit that gives Verstappen a clear path to secure the title. While McLaren has surpassed Red Bull and Ferrari in certain aspects, the team’s advancements have not been enough for Norris to outpace Verstappen consistently.
Former F1 driver Martin Donnelly believes Norris needs to focus on mastering difficult track conditions, particularly wet races, to enhance his competitiveness. Wet weather has often exposed weaknesses in Norris’s driving style, while Verstappen has been lauded for his resilience and precision in rain-soaked races. Donnelly suggests that by improving his skill in such challenging situations, Norris could narrow the psychological advantage Verstappen holds and elevate his standing among the sport’s elite.
Verstappen’s track record in wet conditions underscores his exceptional ability. His prowess was evident as far back as 2016 when he clinched an impressive third-place finish in Brazil despite a mid-race setback. In contrast, Norris has shown potential but still struggles in fully wet races. His best performance in adverse weather this year was during the F1 Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he clinched pole position by over a second. However, his performance in similar conditions at the Canadian Grand Prix revealed room for growth, as he fell behind rivals until the track began to dry.
For Norris to achieve his dream of dethroning Verstappen, he’ll need to work on refining his skills in every possible condition. By mastering wet-weather racing, he could not only challenge Verstappen more effectively but also establish himself as one of the greats. Only time will tell if Norris can make the necessary strides and finally secure his place at the top of Formula 1.