Lando Norris has expressed concern over Max Verstappen’s overwhelming dominance potentially alienating Formula 1 enthusiasts.
In the wake of yet another commanding triumph by Red Bull’s triple world champion at the revived Chinese Grand Prix, Norris voiced apprehension regarding the impact on F1 viewership.
Verstappen clinched victory effortlessly, further solidifying his prowess by comfortably securing first place in the sprint race despite starting from fourth on the grid.
Verstappen’s recent win in China marked his 38th triumph out of 49 races since the implementation of new regulations in 2022. Moreover, it constituted his 23rd victory in the last 27 Grand Prix events, highlighting his remarkable consistency and dominance on the track.
Reflecting on this trend, Norris acknowledged the frustration felt by spectators. He remarked, “It is frustrating for people watching but it has always been like this,” indicating a longstanding concern within the F1 community regarding the balance of competition and entertainment in the sport.
“We are seeing more dominance than ever, so it is never going to be the best to watch and the only exciting races have been the ones that Max is not in.
“If you see the same driver winning every single time without a fight then of course it does start to become boring and that is obvious.
“You have got one of the best drivers ever in Formula One, in one of the most dominant cars and it is a combination that is deadly. If Max wasn’t there and you had two [Sergio] Perez, it wouldn’t be the case.”
Norris continued: “Am I surprised how far Red Bull is ahead? No. When you know how tricky it is to get it right, then it makes sense. They are just smart people.
“You hope teams plateau and we are starting to get there but at the same time to suddenly jump and catch them [Red Bull], it just doesn’t work like that.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has brushed aside claims that Max Verstappen’s dominance is detrimental to Formula 1.
In response to concerns raised about Verstappen’s overwhelming success, Horner emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating achievement.
He asserted, “You have to appreciate success. Max is a special talent and this is a golden moment for him,” underlining Verstappen’s exceptional skills and the significance of his current achievements in the sport.
“As we have seen with every single driver in the past, it doesn’t last forever. It is about enjoying the moment and being in the moment and there are no guarantees we can give him a car like this for the next five years.
“Max is just a metronome. The pace he showed last year, he has continued that through.
“And since the last Chinese Grand Prix in 2019, he has won 50 percent of all the races. He has won 21 out of the last 23 races. He is in fantastic form, at one with the car and the team, and enjoying his racing.”
