Lewis Hamilton Says Norris Can Win Formula One Title in ‘Down to Wire’ Chase
Lewis Hamilton believes that Lando Norris still has a chance to catch and surpass defending three-time world champion Max Verstappen in this year’s title race, thanks to the strong performance of his McLaren team.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the seven-time champion expressed his enthusiasm for the excitement their rivalry has injected into the season. He also suggested that reinstating gravel traps in place of forgiving run-off areas might help curb Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, which led to two 10-second penalties for him in Mexico last weekend.
“It’s really exciting for the sport,” Hamilton remarked, recalling his own experiences with similar tactics from Verstappen during the 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. “The last couple of years haven’t been as thrilling, with Max often in the lead. But this year, it’s been great for fans to see that it could come down to the wire. Lando still has a chance to catch up; he just needs about 11 more points in each of the remaining races, which is definitely achievable given their car’s performance.”
Currently, Verstappen leads Norris by 47 points with four races left in the championship. While Hamilton refrained from delving into the controversy surrounding Verstappen’s driving, he acknowledged, “Everyone knows what happened in the last two races. People will have their opinions, but at the end of the day, those two know what they’re doing. I’m just hoping to get a good view of the action as they race ahead.”
When asked about the 2021 season, Hamilton was cautious but insightful. “The rules haven’t changed since 2021. What we saw back then is still relevant today, and it will continue until adjustments are made. You can listen to my radio comments from that time; I don’t want to revisit it now. If I were in the fight, I might engage more, but it really impacts those two.”
Regarding potential changes to prevent drivers from being pushed off during overtaking, Hamilton noted, “The run-off areas don’t help. If there were gravel or grass, drivers wouldn’t be able to go wide like that. These run-off zones became common around Verstappen’s rise, allowing younger drivers to exploit them without penalty.”
Hamilton also shared his excitement about driving Ayrton Senna’s 1990 championship-winning McLaren MP4/5 during demonstration laps in honor of the 30th anniversary of Senna’s death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. He mentioned that the plans were meant to be a surprise, but the news leaked. “I love coming here,” said Hamilton, who was made an honorary Brazilian in 2022. “Every moment I spend here deepens my appreciation for the culture—the colors, Ayrton, and the warmth of the people. It energizes me throughout the weekend.”
