Lando Norris’ 2024 Formula 1 season has been a mixture of highs and lows, with the British driver seemingly unable to capitalize on the massive potential offered by his McLaren team. Despite solid performances, a number of mistakes have undermined his championship ambitions. While McLaren has shown impressive competitiveness, giving Norris a legitimate shot at the title, the young driver’s performance has not been as sharp as expected, especially when compared to his teammate, Oscar Piastri. The situation is one of missed opportunities, internal struggles, and growing pressure, as Norris faces the very real possibility of letting his championship chance slip away.

The Season So Far: A Mixed Bag

On paper, Lando Norris’ season is far from disastrous. He has won two races, including the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, and secured eight podium finishes in just ten races. Norris is only 22 points off the championship lead, and with 14 races remaining, he is still very much in the fight for the title. These numbers would suggest a driver in fine form, capable of competing for the championship. However, a deeper dive into the season paints a more complex picture, highlighting some significant issues that have prevented Norris from reaching the heights many had expected from him this year.

When looking at his performances against his teammate, Oscar Piastri, the narrative begins to shift. The contrast between the two drivers is stark, with Piastri outshining Norris in several key areas, including qualifying, racecraft, and consistency. The Australian rookie has been faster in qualifying and has scored more wins, podiums, and points than Norris so far. What makes this even more significant is that Piastri’s performance this season is a remarkable leap forward from his 2024 debut, with the young driver quickly eliminating the deficits that existed in his first year. Meanwhile, Norris, despite the improvements in McLaren’s car, has struggled with consistency.

The Qualifying Struggles: A Key Weakness

One of Norris’ biggest strengths in the past has been his ability to extract the maximum performance from the car in qualifying. Historically, he has been one of the fastest drivers over a single lap, and it was in this area that he consistently outperformed his teammates. In 2023, for instance, Norris had a clear advantage over Piastri in qualifying sessions, often securing positions that allowed him to be in contention for race wins. However, this season has been different, with Norris failing to maintain that advantage.

In 2024, Norris has made several costly mistakes in qualifying, especially in the crucial Q3 sessions. While he has still been faster than Piastri in many of the earlier qualifying sessions (Q1 and Q2), his performance in Q3 has been disappointing. Norris has only outqualified Piastri four times in 12 Q3 sessions, with an average deficit of 0.16 seconds. This has left him starting further down the grid than he should be, putting him at a disadvantage when the lights go out on race day. His mistakes in qualifying, such as his crash in Saudi Arabia and multiple errors in Canada, have prevented him from maximizing the car’s potential and starting in better positions for race day.

While there have been suggestions that the McLaren car has not been entirely suited to Norris’ driving style, this cannot fully explain his decline in qualifying performance. Some of Norris’ errors can be attributed to misjudgments and a lack of precision. The introduction of a new front suspension geometry in Canada, which Piastri has adopted but Norris has struggled to adapt to, might also explain some of his difficulties. However, the broader issue seems to be that Norris is not performing at the level expected of him when it matters most: during the final laps of qualifying. His inability to execute clean, mistake-free qualifying sessions has cost him valuable positions on the grid, making his task on Sundays that much more difficult.

Racecraft: A Work in Progress

While qualifying has been Norris’ major weak spot this season, his racecraft has also come under scrutiny. Norris has often been praised for his maturity and skill in race situations, but there have been multiple instances where his judgment has let him down. Notably, Norris has been involved in several on-track incidents, including a collision with Piastri in Canada and a near-miss with Max Verstappen in Singapore. These errors have exposed a vulnerability in his ability to make the right decisions when racing wheel-to-wheel.

In Canada, Norris made a clumsy move on his teammate, attempting to pass him in a way that was never on. The collision was a costly mistake, particularly given that Norris is aiming for a championship title. Throughout the season, Norris has also struggled with overtaking maneuvers, often attempting aggressive moves that have not paid off. In Bahrain, for example, Norris tried to pass George Russell on the outside of the first corner, a move that cost him time and positions. Similarly, in Miami, he made multiple attempts to pass Verstappen on the outside, only to lose time in the process. While Piastri, despite being in a similar position, managed to execute his overtakes more cleanly and efficiently, showcasing his growing maturity in race situations.

What is particularly frustrating for Norris is that he is capable of exceptional moments of racecraft, such as his brilliant move on Charles Leclerc in Bahrain. However, these moments are often overshadowed by his mistakes. For a driver who is in the title hunt, these errors are simply unacceptable. The inconsistency in his racecraft, coupled with his qualifying struggles, has meant that Norris has often been playing catch-up on Sundays, rather than capitalizing on his car’s potential.

Piastri’s Rise: A New Benchmark

Oscar Piastri’s rapid improvement in 2024 has been one of the standout stories of the season. After a solid but unspectacular rookie year, the Australian has come out swinging in his second season with McLaren. His performances in qualifying have been particularly impressive, with Piastri regularly outqualifying Norris and showing an ability to recover from difficult weekends. His consistency and growth have put increasing pressure on Norris, who now finds himself in a situation where his teammate is not just matching him, but often surpassing him.

Piastri’s biggest improvement has come in qualifying, where he has been more consistent than Norris and has started on the front row more frequently. He is also displaying the kind of racecraft that Norris has struggled with, executing overtakes cleanly and efficiently. This has put Norris in a difficult position, as he must now perform at an even higher level to maintain his status as McLaren’s lead driver. Piastri’s rise has changed the dynamic at McLaren, and while Norris remains a top talent, he is no longer the unquestioned number one at the team.

The Pressure and the Path Forward

The pressure on Lando Norris has never been greater. With McLaren providing him with one of the best cars on the grid, he now finds himself in a battle not just with his rivals but with his own mistakes. The title is still within reach, but it is slipping through his fingers due to a combination of errors, misjudgments, and inconsistency. Norris needs to address his weaknesses in qualifying and racecraft, controlling his nerves and ensuring that he executes under pressure.

As for McLaren, the team’s focus will be on supporting Norris through these challenges. Andrea Stella, the team principal, has acknowledged that tough conversations may be needed to help Norris improve. With 14 races to go, Norris has time to turn things around, but he will need to quickly find a way to minimize his mistakes if he is to make the most of McLaren’s championship opportunity.

For now, the title fight remains open, but Norris’ chances are becoming increasingly fragile. It’s clear that while he has the talent and potential to be a world champion, he must iron out the mistakes and prove that he can be consistent when it matters most. Whether he can do that in 2024 will determine whether he remains in contention for the title or watches as his teammate, Piastri, takes the spotlight.