Norris title bid a huge challenge but not 'impossible' – Hamilton

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Lewis Hamilton believes that while it will be a monumental challenge, it is "not impossible" for Lando Norris to defeat Max Verstappen in the 2024 Formula 1 title race.

As the season heads into its final stretch of ten races, Norris sits 78 points behind Verstappen, who remains the favorite to secure his fourth Drivers' championship.

However, McLaren’s resurgence in 2024 has seen Norris emerge as one of Verstappen's closest challengers. The team’s development throughout the season has brought the Woking-based outfit within striking distance of Red Bull, now only 42 points behind in the constructors' standings.

Norris has claimed but a single win so far this season – in Miami – but the Briton’s remarkable consistency and string of podium finishes has kept him in the title fight.

Read also: Norris admits to ‘lost opportunities’ due to ‘too many mistakes’

In contrast, Verstappen has dominated with seven wins but has failed to secure victory in the last four races, indicating that the competition – and specifically McLaren – might be closing in on the reigning world champions.

“It’s been a minute since I was fighting for the championship, but I think there was a time when I was here where I was 40 or something points behind,” Hamilton told the media last time out at Spa-Francorchamps.

“70 [78 points more specifically] is a big number when you’re against a car that has probably a very, very close to 100% record.

“I think it may have dropped down slightly in one of the races when Max’s engine stopped. But otherwise, they’re a very, very highly performant team.

Despite the significant points gap, Hamilton believes there's a glimmer of hope for Norris.

“It is not impossible, but it is a very, very high, huge challenge and task but absolutely not impossible,” said the 39-year-old.

“They’ve got two very strong drivers that are able to compete against, ultimately, currently, in the championship, one car that’s really up there, doing a lot of the point-scoring on the other side.

“So they’ve got something they can work with for sure.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.