Bernie Ecclestone Backs Max Verstappen for 2025 Title, Citing Norris's 'Over-Confidence'

Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has thrown his weight behind Max Verstappen for the 2025 drivers' championship, openly criticizing Lando Norris as "over-confident, too cocky." This comes as the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi approaches, with Norris currently leading Verstappen by 12 points, and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri also in contention.

Why it matters:

Bernie Ecclestone's candid remarks from a figure of his stature always draw attention, especially when they directly address the mental fortitude of current F1 frontrunners. His assessment of Norris's 'cockiness' versus Verstappen's 'one-off' talent highlights a perceived psychological edge for Verstappen in high-pressure title fights, potentially influencing public perception as the championship heads to a tense climax.

The details:

• Ecclestone's Pick: Despite Norris leading the standings by 12 points heading into the Abu Dhabi finale, Ecclestone firmly believes Max Verstappen "will do it" and "deserves it."
• Verstappen's Praise: Ecclestone hailed Verstappen as the best driver he has ever known, even surpassing legendary figures like Alain Prost, noting Verstappen "stands alone" in his ability.
• Norris's Critique: Ecclestone stated that while Norris is a "really good driver," he is "over-confident, too cocky, believing his own publicity." He also suggested Norris "gets nervous at crunch moments and can’t quite deliver the way Max can when the pressure is on."
• McLaren's Team Orders: Ecclestone questioned McLaren's approach to managing their drivers, suggesting the team has been "very helpful to Lando over Oscar," citing an incident in Monza where a pitstop order was reportedly altered. He disapproves of such interventions, stating, "A bad pitstop is part of racing. You have to accept it, not engineer it."
• Verstappen's Advantage: Ecclestone believes Verstappen's 'nothing to lose' mentality in the championship race could serve as an additional advantage.

The big picture:

Ecclestone's comments reignite the debate about mental strength and team dynamics in a championship battle. While McLaren maintains a 'may the best man win' philosophy, Ecclestone's view suggests a potential bias towards Norris, which could add another layer of intrigue to the team's strategy. Ultimately, the championship's conclusion will test both drivers' abilities to perform under immense pressure, a quality Ecclestone clearly believes Verstappen possesses in spades.

What's next:

The 2024 Formula 1 season culminates this weekend in Abu Dhabi. All eyes will be on Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri as they battle for the drivers' championship. Ecclestone's predictions will be put to the test as F1 fans worldwide await to see if Norris can overcome the pressure and secure his maiden title, or if Verstappen will live up to the veteran's high praise.