British Media Turns on Lando Norris as Title Hopes Falter After Disappointing Brazilian GP

In a stunning turn of events, the British media has taken a harsh stance on Lando Norris following his struggles in the Brazilian Grand Prix, casting doubts on his ability to compete as the country’s next Formula 1 superstar. Initially seen as a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton, Norris’s title aspirations appear to be dwindling as Max Verstappen continues to extend his lead in the championship race.

Once firmly supportive, outlets like the BBC, Daily Mail, and The Times have reevaluated Norris’s season, especially after a weekend where he fell short despite McLaren’s promising performance. The BBC, previously enthusiastic about Norris’s potential, pointed to Verstappen’s dominant wet-weather drive as the nail in the coffin for Norris’s title hopes. The Daily Mail, in a critical piece, noted that Norris’s dream “surely died on a wet track,” citing Verstappen as the driver to beat.

Even pro-British F1 commentator Martin Brundle joined the scrutiny, saying Norris lacks the “killer instinct” necessary to compete at Verstappen’s level, especially under challenging conditions. Brundle pointed to Verstappen’s experience and strategic prowess, contrasting it with Norris’s occasional lapses under pressure, as evident in Brazil. Brundle added that Norris could still learn and grow from this season, but the challenges of a full title fight demand a level of consistency Norris hasn’t yet achieved.

On his part, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella defended Norris, attributing part of the Brazilian GP setbacks to team decisions, such as an untimely pit stop before a safety car, and struggles in wet conditions. Stella praised Norris’s overall performance this season, emphasizing that the team and Norris share responsibility for the learning curve in challenging conditions.

The question remains: can Norris evolve into a true championship contender, or will his potential be held back by McLaren’s limitations and his own inexperience? As Verstappen remains the front-runner with a 62-point lead and three Grands Prix left, the media’s assessment is clear—for now, Norris’s time has yet to arrive