Lewis Hamilton missed the F1 drivers’ championship because he made more mistakes than Max Verstappen and had more bad luck, Lando Norris believes. The Brit started the race in Abu Dhabi last week and was hoping for another title. But he ultimately missed the award in controversial circumstances.
Hamilton was on the edge of history last weekend, leading Verstappen with just one lap to go in Abu Dhabi.
But the Red Bull star was able to assert himself confidently, overtook late and took the title for the first time in his career.
It was a disappointing day for Hamilton and Mercedes, who saw two appeals rejected by the FIA because of the result.
Now Norris has expressed his belief that the Briton had the better car throughout the campaign.
However, he believes Verstappen beat his older rival because he was “less unlucky” and “made fewer mistakes”.
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“I don’t think he had a better car during the entire season,” he said, referring to Verstappen.
“Mercedes had the more powerful car in most cases, but he (Verstappen) was less unlucky and made fewer mistakes as a driver.”
In contrast to Hamilton, Verstappen hardly made any mistakes over the course of the season.
The Brit made a mistake at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when he accidentally hit the magic brake button.
He also made a mistake in Imola, but was able to recover from second place on the grid under difficult conditions.
Norris has said he is happy for Verstappen but has also announced that he also “respected” Hamilton, whom he “went” to.
“I’m happy for him,” said Norris of Verstappen, who first achieved fame at the age of 24.
“I congratulate him on what he has achieved this season.
“He took on Lewis, who is much more experienced and has won a lot of titles.
“He (Verstappen) is a good friend of mine. I congratulated him first, but then I went to Lewis because he also had an incredible season and did a lot of things right to become champions. I respect both of them very much. “
After winning the title, Verstappen revealed that the entire Red Bull team “went nuts”.
“The whole team was crazy, but of course there is the other side where they are very disappointed and angry,” he said.
“I think something is nice, of course Lewis came to me right away [and said] “Well done, congratulations” and I said, “Thank you for a great season” because at the end of the day I think it was a great season whether we won or finished second.
“We pushed each other to the limit in every race, with ourselves, but also with the car and the whole team.
“I think everyone is very happy that the season is over, to take a little break because it was very tense and very tough for everyone.
“But it was definitely a big rivalry.”
Verstappen’s father Jos recently shed light on how Hamilton’s own father Anthony reacted to the race in Abu Dhabi.
“When I sat with Max before he went on the podium, Anthony was there and congratulated us. That was really nice, ”said Jos.
“I also had a few conversations with him on WhatsApp during the season. He is really nice.
“You have already won seven titles, so it’s a little different for you, I think. [to] if we win the first. But he is always respectful. “
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