São Paulo. British driver Lewis Hamilton believes that his compatriot Lando Norris can still catch up and beat three-time world champion Max Verstappen in this year’s Formula 1 championship thanks to the performance of his car and the McLaren team.
“It has been exciting for the fans to see that this year he can go all the way. There is still the possibility that Lando will reach it,” the seven-time world champion said this Thursday in a press conference prior to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“I think he needs eleven more points (than his rival), or something like that, in each of the next races, which is certainly possible with the performance they have,” added the Mercedes driver.
Hamilton, 39, also highlighted the excitement that the duel between Verstappen (Red Bull) and Norris has brought to the 2024 championship.
With four races remaining, including Sao Paulo, the penultimate of the season with a sprint race, the Dutchman leads the competition with 362 points, 47 more than the McLaren driver.
“It’s really exciting for the sport,” Hamilton said. “The last two years haven’t necessarily been as exciting, with Max just leading the way.”
Although he was measured in his words, the Briton considered that returning to the gravel traps can stop aggressive driving styles like that of Verstappen, penalized with two ten-second penalties in Mexico last Sunday.
“The track exit areas don’t help. If it was gravel or grass, they wouldn’t do it,” said the Mercedes star, who was the victim of similar tactics by the Dutchman at the 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“The rules are still the same as in 2021. So what we saw in 2021, with me and with Max, is still happening today and will continue until a change is made,” he noted.
– “Emotional experience” driving Senna’s car –
Hamilton also confirmed that he will enjoy the “emotional experience” of driving the McLaren MP4/5 with which Ayrton Senna won the world championship in 1990 on Saturday.
He said the demonstration, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the legendary Brazilian driver’s death at the Imola Grand Prix in 1994, was intended to be a secret, “but, somehow, it came to light.”
“I love coming here,” Hamilton added, referring to Brazil, which made him an honorary citizen in 2022.
The Briton arrived at the Interlagos Autodrome this Thursday wearing a t-shirt with Senna’s face printed along with the message “Rest in Peace”, and wearing pants with the Brazilian flag.
“Every time I get a chance to spend time here… I learn more about the culture. It’s the colors. It’s Ayrton, the culture of the people. You just vibe with that all weekend long.”
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#Hamilton #Norris #title #Verstappen
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