'There have been too many mistakes, and a few too many points given away. I need to be perfect' - Norris striving to win a championship.

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While acknowledging that he hasn't consistently performed at a level deserving of a World Champion, McLaren driver Lando Norris is optimistic about his ability to compete with Max Verstappen for the 2024 Formula 1 championship.

As the Formula 1 season resumes following a much-needed four-week summer break, the anticipation among fans and teams is palpable. The second half of the season commences with the highly anticipated Dutch Grand Prix, a race that holds special significance for Max Verstappen as it is his home event. Verstappen, the Dutch sensation, has showcased his prowess at Zandvoort since 2021, clinching victory in the last three editions of the race with sheer dominance and skill.

Prior to the break, Lando Norris found himself in a pivotal position to narrow the gap to Verstappen in the championship standings. At the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, Norris had a golden opportunity to capitalize on Verstappen's 10-place grid penalty. Unfortunately, a subpar start saw Norris plummet from fourth to seventh, squandering his chance to make significant gains. Despite Verstappen facing setbacks of his own, including starting further back on the grid due to exceeding his engine allocation, the Red Bull driver showcased his mettle by finishing ahead of Norris, thereby solidifying his lead in the title race.

When reflecting on his performance, Norris openly admitted to a number of errors made by both himself and the McLaren team, which have greatly impacted his chances of winning the title.

Prior to the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, the 24-year-old stated: “I am fighting for a championship, so I am not going to be happy if I am not performing at the level that I need to be at to beat Max and to beat Red Bull. After the first half of the season, I have not performed at the level of a world champion. It is as simple as that.”

Norris acknowledged that striving for perfection is essential in the fiercely competitive world of Formula One. “There have been too many mistakes, and a few too many points given away. I need to be perfect to compete against the guys we are competing against, and the smallest weakness or deficit can bite you easily,” he said.

When questioned if achieving a first championship has been tougher than anticipated, Norris stayed calm: "No, you just get criticised more. I am fine with it. I don’t mind. You guys can say what you want. As long as I know what I am doing, and my group, my circle, and team know what I am doing, I am happy.”

Even though Norris is behind Verstappen by 78 points, which is the same as three race wins, he is positive about the remaining 10 rounds and 284 points up for grabs. McLaren has shown great progress this season, with their car possibly being the fastest on the grid now, and the team has brought in upgrades for the upcoming race in Zandvoort.

“The championship is still in reach,” Norris included. “I am a lot of points behind, and it is against Max, but I want to be optimistic and say there are still chances. I know it is a lot, and it is going to be a very difficult challenge, but I know how I can perform when things click and go well, so I still want to believe it is possible.”