Lando Norris Confident He Can Beat ‘Perfect’ Max Verstappen in 2025
LAS VEGAS — Lando Norris has made a bold statement that’s sure to turn heads in the Formula 1 world. After Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive world championship, Norris not only praised the Dutchman’s near-flawless season but also expressed confidence that he could beat Verstappen to a world title in 2025 if the opportunity arises.
Verstappen officially secured his fourth title with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, doing exactly what was needed to stay ahead of the competition, including Norris. The Red Bull driver’s dominance this season has been nothing short of remarkable, and Norris didn’t hold back in acknowledging Verstappen’s brilliance.
“Massive congrats to him,” Norris said. “He’s deserved it. He’s not put a foot wrong, really, the whole year. So that’s strength of his, he has no bad… he has no downsides. He has no negatives.”
Verstappen’s Dominance: A Season to Remember
Verstappen’s season was a tale of two halves. He won seven of the first 10 races, establishing a commanding lead in the championship standings. However, in the second half of the season, he managed just one victory. Despite this, his consistency was unmatched, with his worst finish being fifth place. Norris highlighted this consistency as a key factor in Verstappen’s success.
“When he’s had the quickest car, he dominated races. When he’s not in the quickest car, he’s still been just behind us and almost winning the races anyway,” Norris said. “He’s just not had a bad side to him. He’s not had any bad races the whole year. You know, his worst was like a fifth or something. He just drove as Max has always driven, which is perfectly. And can’t fault him anywhere.”
Norris’ Breakout Season
For Norris, 2023 was a breakout year. The British driver claimed three wins and was even considered an outsider in the title fight for a few months. While he ultimately fell short, Norris believes the experience has prepared him for future battles, including a potential showdown with Verstappen in 2025.
“A lot more positives and negatives. That’s for sure,” Norris said, reflecting on his season. “I feel like I can fight for a championship and I’m happy, and I can say that confidently. I have what it takes, and I know that deep down that I have what it takes. I have some things to work on still, for sure, but I can fight against Max, and I’ll be happy to say that, because I think Max is the best driver in the world, and probably one of the best drivers that’s ever been in Formula 1.”
Looking Ahead: The Battle for 2025
Norris’ comments about Verstappen being “the best driver in the world” and “one of the best drivers that’s ever been in Formula 1” are high praise, but they also set the stage for what could be an epic rivalry in the coming years. Norris is determined to improve and believes he has what it takes to challenge Verstappen for the championship.
“Some people might disagree, but I’m quite confident when I say that, which is rare,” Norris said. “So for me to put up a fight against him and to go wheel to wheel is something I love, I enjoy.”
He added, “I’ll probably look back on a lot in 20 years or 30 years that I fought such a driver. So you know, I’m happy for him. He deserves the championship, but hopefully I can upset him more next year.”
Key Takeaways
- Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world championship with a fifth-place finish in Las Vegas.
- Lando Norris had a breakout season, claiming three wins and briefly entering the title fight.
- Norris believes he has what it takes to beat Verstappen to a world title in 2025.
- Verstappen’s consistency and near-flawless performance were key to his success this season.
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on Norris to see if he can build on his breakout year and close the gap to Verstappen. One thing is for sure: the Formula 1 world is in for some thrilling battles in the years to come.
Originally Written by: Nate Saunders
