Norris has emerged as Verstappen’s nearest competitor since the summer break, accumulating 80 points—including two wins—compared to Verstappen’s 54 points with no victories during that same period.
Despite this, the Dutch driver still holds a 52-point advantage over Norris, with six races remaining, including three Sprint events.
The momentum appears to be shifting towards McLaren, though Red Bull’s performance in Singapore suggested a possible recovery for the Milton Keynes-based team.
Marko remains confident that Verstappen’s talent and resilience will carry him to the finish line. When asked on Motorsport Magazin’s YouTube channel about who he believed would be the 2024 champion, Marko quickly replied, “Verstappen!”
When questioned about his confidence, given Norris’ recent performance and Red Bull’s inconsistencies, Marko provided clear reasoning.
“He’s the best, he’s the fastest, and, importantly, he possesses the mental strength to compete for the world championship more effectively than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.”
Marko went on to comment on Norris, implying that the McLaren driver’s mental approach could be a potential weakness in this intense title fight.
“We know Norris has some mental vulnerabilities,” Marko stated. “I’ve heard about some rituals he needs to perform to excel on race day.”
While Marko didn’t provide details about these vulnerabilities, his remarks seem to reflect Norris’ own acknowledgment of pre-race nerves and anxiety.
Norris has been candid about the psychological hurdles he encounters in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, especially as he frequently competes for wins and podium finishes.
However, the 24-year-old insists that, while nerves are present, they do not overwhelm him.
“I don’t think about it at all,” Norris said recently when asked if he feels additional pressure now that he’s in contention for the title. “There’s always pressure, which is the main point. For the races, I still feel just as excited and just as nervous.”
“I hardly eat anything on Sundays. I find it hard to drink on Sundays, just because I’m nervous and feel the pressure.”
Despite these nerves, Norris believes he has learned to channel them into positive energy that enhances his performance.
“It’s all about turning it into a positive thing and not letting it affect you negatively,” he explained. “How can you actually use it to help you focus on the right things?”
With six races remaining and many points still available, the showdown between Verstappen and Norris is set to be thrilling.
McLaren’s revival, coupled with Norris’ determination, will keep the competition fierce.
But for Marko, there’s no doubt: Max Verstappen’s mental fortitude will secure him another victory.