Norris 'dissatisfaction' a sign of a champion in the making - Hill
10/06/2024 03:34 AM
Damon Hill believes that McLaren's Lando Norris possesses all the qualities needed to clinch the F1 World Championship, including an essential trait shared by all great champions: an intense "dissatisfaction" with anything less than victory.
Norris, who is currently battling for his first F1 Drivers' title, has demonstrated remarkable skill and determination throughout the 2024 season.
With McLaren enjoying a resurgence, Norris has claimed three victories this year, including a standout performance at the Singapore Grand Prix last time out.
However, with only six races left and a 52-point gap to close on Red Bull's Max Verstappen, the road to the championship will be challenging.
Hill, speaking on the sport's recent F1 Explains podcast, emphasized that Norris's ever-present discontent with coming second is a critical marker of his potential for greatness.
The 1996 F1 World Champion praised the Briton's drive to improve, pointing to Norris' own self-criticism as a sign of a true champion in the making.
"I think he's got the ingredients," Hill commented. "I think he's got the qualities. I think he's got that dissatisfaction with second place.
"I saw some comments he made over the summer break, where he said he wasn't good enough in the early part of this season.
"That's the sign of someone who's really going to put himself to the test. He's not going to be comfortable just being good enough. He wants to be the best."
Norris's growth in confidence, combined with McLaren's improved performance this season, has sparked optimism that the 24-year-old may soon break through as a champion.
His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, has also shone this year, picking up two race wins in his sophomore campaign in F1.
While Piastri currently sits fourth in the Drivers' standings, Hill believes that the Aussie has a bright future but still needs time to refine his racecraft.
"Give Oscar [Piastri] a few more seasons, as many seasons as Lando has had, and he'll have learned so much more," said Hill.
"He'll look back at his performances now and realise he didn't have the ingredients he needs yet.
"He's still learning. He's got the talent, definitely, and he's got the determination. I'm very impressed with Oscar."
Unsurprisingly, Hill also singled out Charles Leclerc and George Russell as potential world champions.
The Ferrari driver, who claimed victories at Monaco and Monza this season, has delivered strong performances and is currently third in the standings, 34 points behind Norris.
"Charles Leclerc is a typical Ferrari driver in many ways," Hill said. "It's win or bust with Charles, it seems to me, but you can win a championship like that."
As for Russell, who has faced a more inconsistent season with Mercedes but still managed to secure a win at the Austrian Grand Prix in July, Hill remains confident in the Briton's championship credentials.
"I would not discount George Russell," Hill noted. "I think George is definitely a contender."
While the path to an F1 title is never easy, Hill's endorsement of Norris underscores the growing belief that the McLaren star has the raw talent, determination, and mindset to rise to the very top of the sport.
With the season entering its final stretch, all eyes will be on the 24-year-old as he attempts to turn potential into reality and challenge Verstappen for the ultimate prize.
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