Admitting that Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers to grace the sport, Lando Norris still believes he can beat him.

Whichever way you look at it, McLaren put up one hell of fight. Unfortunately for the Woking team not only did it come a little too late, they were also up against one of the sport's finest drivers.

His 2024 title dream shattered, Norris must now start preparing for next season, and the Briton believes that not only can the Dutchman be beaten, but that he is the man to do it.

"Massive congrats to him," said Norris at race end having failed to score the requisite number of points to carry the title fight over to Qatar next week. "He's deserved it," he continued. "He's not put a foot wrong, really, the whole year.

"That's strength of his, he has no bad... he has no downsides, he has no negatives," he admitted.

"When he's had the quickest car, he dominated races. When he's not in the quickest car, he's still been just behind us and almost winning the races anyway. So he's just not had a bad side to him. He's not had any bad races the whole year. You know, his worst was like a fifth or something. He just drove as Max has always driven, which is perfectly. You can't fault him anywhere."

Asked what he takes from the season, bearing in mind that some say he has not been aggressive enough, Norris said: "A lot more positives than negatives... that's for sure.

"I feel like I can fight for a championship and I'm happy," he continued, "and I can say that confidently.

"I have what it takes, and I know that deep down that I have what it takes. I have some things to work on still, for sure, but I can fight against Max, and I'll be happy to say that, because I think Max is the best driver in the world, and probably one of the best drivers that's ever been in Formula 1.

"Some people might disagree, but I'm quite confident when I say that, which is rare. So for me to put up a fight against him and to go wheel to wheel is something I love, I enjoy.

"I'll probably look back on a lot in twenty or thirty years that I fought such a driver. So you know, I'm happy for him. He deserves the championship, but hopefully I can upset him more next year."

Of course, next year the Briton will no doubt face a sterner threat from his own teammate, assuming the Woking team plays fair from the outset.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Wokingchap, 16 minutes ago

"Hard luck Lando, he put up a great fight and nearly got there. Goooooo for it next year."

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2. Posted by Geeza1966, 6 hours ago

"Considering its his first real tilt at being anywhere near challenging at the front, this can only be regarded as a learning year for both Lando and Mclaren all up... With the lead that Max had built up early in the season, it was always going to be a case of catchup by the papayas..... reminded me a little of the 2009 Brawn/Jenson situation when Jenson ran and hid for the best part of the opening 10 races or so.... Points on the board as opposed to games in hand springs to mind in a footballing sense....."

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3. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 10 hours ago

"A day late and a dollar short would best sum up Norris' title challenge. Good effort, nonetheless.
"

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4. Posted by JPS, 11 hours ago

"Lando is quick but makes dumb decisions. Until he changes that he hasn't got a hope. Plus Oscar is starting to consistently be quicker so not sure how that will play. And finally McLaren were quick the emphasis on were. Ferrari, Mercedes and. Redbull finished ahead of them the last race. McLaren will be lucky to get the constructors championship "

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5. Posted by kenji, 13 hours ago

"Max is the best 'in the world' but I can beat him! Ergo...'I'm the best in the world'...really? Norris had to rely on being gifted points this year. That plus favoured status re pit stops and new parts upgrades. Piastri may not be so helpful next season and I would certainly hope that he simply digs in and refuses to be a No2. If Norris is the 'best in the world' he won't need any gifts. Now that the WDC is done wouldn't it have been the decent thing to do to acknowledge Piastri's generosity to gift him a 'sprint' win plus other assistance? No class. It's about time that the FIA reinstated a ban on team orders. Put the pressure back onto the teams with severe penalties if found guilty, It may well be impossible to police but at least it may make teams less likely to take the gamble if they faced a disqualification from a race! "

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"I have what it takes," insists Norris

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