Norris backed to rival Verstappen and Hamilton as F1 champion
Norris backed to rival Verstappen and Hamilton as F1 champion
Damon Hill has insisted that Lando Norris is among the top tier of drivers on the F1 grid after a superb 2023 season with McLaren.
After struggling in the early part of the season with a dogged car, upgrades helped to provide a spark that McLaren so desperately needed to show Norris that they can contend for wins and titles with him.
The outlook was bleak originally, as the Woking based outfit languished at the back of the F1 pack before the Austrian Grand Prix turned their season in a far more positive direction.
It may have been the sort of improvement that helped to convince their ‘top tier’ driver to stay long-term, with Norris having grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of opportunities to win in orange.
READ MORE: Horner reveals WAGER with Marko on Verstappen success
Hill: He’s in the top tier
“I think he’s in the top tier,” he said on Sky Sports F1. “The very top tier is Lewis, Max and then there’s a very close collection of drivers who are very, very good.
“He is one that you’d look at say ok, in a right opportunity and a right situation, he’s a championship winner without any question. Grand prix winner, yeah, I know he hasn’t done one yet but he’s going to isn’t he? They just need to give him a bit more speed on that McLaren.”
The Brit could finish fourth in the drivers’ championship with a good race in the Abu Dhabi finale but he needs to gain six points over the Spanish duo of Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso to achieve the feat.
There are just 98 days before lights out for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, where McLaren will be hoping that they can produce a faster car and challenge for their first title since 2012.
READ MORE: Verstappen takes searing pole as McLaren chance slips away
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey Red Bull exit details confirmed as Ferrari make dramatic unveiling - GPFans F1 Recap
- 41 minutes ago
Award-winning director reveals STUNNING tribute to F1 legend Senna
- 1 hour ago
Ferrari fans BEG for Newey after team reveal shock change
- 2 hours ago
Newey manager hints at Red Bull legend's SHOCK next move after exit
- 3 hours ago
Ecclestone ATTACKS Hamilton 'ego' after Ferrari move
- Yesterday 19:57
- 1
Newey and Hamilton could enjoy stunning title REPEAT after F1 guru's Red Bull exit
- Yesterday 18:58
Related news
F1 track to test stunning new driver format
Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage
Verstappen's F1 break includes one major omission
Marko mourns death of key Red Bull figure after championship win
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860