McLaren driver Lando Norris has had his most successful Formula 1 season to date in 2024.
With three races remaining, Lando Norris is still mathematically in with a chance of winning his first world championship.
The McLaren star currently sits 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship, however, he faces a very difficult task if he wants to lift the trophy at the FIA’s prize giving ceremony in Rwanda this year.
That’s because Max Verstappen currently has a 62-point lead in the standings heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Max Verstappen |
393 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
331 |
| 3 |
Charles Leclerc |
307 |
| 4 |
Oscar Piastri |
262 |
| 5 |
Carlos Sainz Jr |
244 |
| 6 |
George Russell |
192 |
| 7 |
Lewis Hamilton |
190 |
| 8 |
Sergio Perez |
151 |
The Red Bull driver knows that a victory this weekend will guarantee a fourth straight title, despite going on a 10-race run without standing on the top step of the podium.
If things had played out differently over the past few seasons, Norris and Verstappen could be battling as teammates this season.
Red Bull have shown interest in Norris in the past, however, the 25-year-old extended his contract with McLaren before this season began.
Norris has spoken to The Race ahead of the upcoming event in Las Vegas and talked about one moment in the past when he was left questioning whether that was the right decision.
Why Lando Norris once questioned signing a new contract with McLaren
Asked about signing a deal that extended beyond his sixth season in F1 with McLaren, Norris said: “I’m very happy that I’ve stuck with the team that I believed in even when a lot of people didn’t.
“And for all of that to actually come true, when it was hard to believe at times, when we could take two steps forward and then step back, and then catch up and then drop back.
“There were times when I did question it for sure, on what’s the best for my future and what do I want to do.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
“The fact we’ve been able to go from where we were to beating Red Bull, when not even 12 months ago they had the most dominant season, that’s an incredible achievement.
“I’m happy that I stuck through the harder times when I could have picked an easier route out of it, could have gone to different teams.
“The team understand that too, the journey that we’ve been on together, and I think they appreciate that, which probably makes me the happiest out of all of it.”
McLaren hoping to earn first Constructors’ Championship this century in 2024
Even if Norris misses out on winning the Drivers’ Championship as expected, he and teammate Oscar Piastri still have plenty to play for during the final three races.
They’ve been by far the most consistent team on the grid and while Verstappen has a clear advantage over both McLaren drivers individually, Red Bull have been unable to rely on Sergio Perez to score sufficient points to retain their manufacturers’ crown.
McLaren have a 36-point advantage over 2nd-place Ferrari with three Grand Prix and a Sprint Race remaining.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine
Overturning 12 points at each event is far from impossible, especially if either Norris or Piastri retire.
It’s one of the reasons why Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko has said he would love to sign Norris or Piastri and wouldn’t shy away from making another bid if they ever became available again.
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