As the 2024 Formula 1 season draws to a close, the championship battle is all but over, with Max Verstappen poised to claim another title. For Lando Norris, who showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short, the question now looms: What will it take to dethrone Verstappen in 2025?
F1 analysts Mark Hughes, Ben Anderson, and Edd Straw have dissected Norris’s season and pinpointed where he can improve. Though Norris has delivered standout performances, particularly in Zandvoort and Singapore, his critics argue he lacks the ruthless edge Verstappen has turned into an art form. Let’s dive into the insights from these experts on how Norris can elevate his game.
1. Aggression: Should Norris Embrace a No-Yield Attitude?
Mark Hughes argues that Norris’s primary criticism this season has been his apparent hesitation in wheel-to-wheel combat with Verstappen. “There’s a certain logic in saying, ‘OK, I’m not going to yield next time Max pulls the ‘yield or crash’ move,’” Hughes explains. “But that wasn’t an option for Norris this season because Verstappen already had a points lead by the time Norris’s car became competitive.”
In Mexico, Norris showed a flash of that aggressive approach, putting Verstappen in a tough spot at Turn 4. This more assertive car placement could be the key for Norris to battle Verstappen on equal terms. Hughes believes it’s an essential step: “He needs to go into every battle fully expecting how Max will race him. It’s not about abandoning sportsmanship; it’s about sharpening his edge.”
2. Leadership on the Radio: Does Norris Need to Push His Team Harder?
Unlike Verstappen, who’s known for his blunt exchanges with Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase, Norris has yet to adopt a commanding presence over the McLaren radio. Ben Anderson points out that Verstappen’s demanding style can be abrasive, but it’s also effective. “Lando needs to be more assertive with McLaren in critical decisions. He’s still too passive when a marginal call could swing a race.”
This doesn’t mean Norris should replicate Verstappen’s style word for word, but adopting a more vocal, directive approach could prove pivotal. Taking the reins in real-time strategy decisions may help Norris tip the scales in tight situations and show his team he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with Verstappen.
3. Start Strategy: Is Norris’s Reputation for Poor Starts Justified?
One area Norris has been criticized for is his starts, particularly after losing the lead early on several occasions this year. However, Hughes and Straw argue this reputation is somewhat misleading. “Max’s reaction times are typically slower than Lando’s,” says Hughes, citing technical factors that may favor Red Bull. “On low-grip surfaces, the Red Bull’s launch is just unbeatable.”
While Norris’s starts aren’t necessarily a fault of his own, improving his initial grip and launch strategies could be another asset in his pursuit of Verstappen.
4. Unwavering Confidence: Can Norris Cultivate Verstappen’s “Ruthless Certainty”?
Perhaps the most critical element missing in Norris’s arsenal is the ironclad confidence that defines Verstappen. Edd Straw observes, “Norris has all the technical skills. He’s clever, adaptive, and technically sound. But does he have that ironclad ruthless certainty? Verstappen’s confidence is a weapon—he knows he’s unbeatable, and that’s rare.”
Hughes agrees, describing Verstappen as a “winning machine” who lacks the self-doubt Norris might still grapple with. “Lando’s unfortunate to reach his peak as Verstappen hits his stride,” Hughes says. “There’s no question about who Max is or what he’s capable of. For Norris to contend, he’ll have to find that same level of conviction.”
5. A Strategic Advantage: Does Norris Need a Machinery Edge?
The panel agreed that, ultimately, a marginal performance advantage could be Norris’s best shot at unseating Verstappen. Hughes notes, “Max’s all-encompassing strengths make him almost impossible to beat in equal machinery. A small edge in the car could make the difference.”
For Norris, the challenge is twofold: sharpen his competitive mindset while hoping McLaren delivers a car capable of leveling the playing field. He’s proven he has world championship potential, but to unseat Verstappen, he’ll need every advantage he can muster.
Final Verdict: Can Norris Take the Crown?
The panel’s consensus is clear: Norris has the talent, but beating Verstappen will require an evolution in both mindset and racecraft. As Hughes puts it, “Norris is championship caliber, but Verstappen is on another level. To win, Norris must be relentless, strategic, and prepared to challenge Verstappen’s dominance.”