Herbert: Verstappen Will Be 'Fueled' by Title Loss to Norris

Lando Norris clinched the 2025 F1 World Championship by a razor-thin two-point margin over Max Verstappen in a stunning season finale. According to former driver Johnny Herbert, this dramatic defeat will serve as powerful fuel for Verstappen, who is already determined to reclaim his crown in 2026. Herbert suggests the four-time champion is telling his friend and rival Norris to "enjoy it while you can" because he's coming back stronger.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's reign of four consecutive titles has been broken, fundamentally altering the psychological landscape of the grid. This isn't just a driver losing a championship; it's a dominant force being dethroned and potentially re-energized by the taste of defeat. The 2026 season is now shaping up to be a blockbuster showdown between a newly-crowned champion in Norris and a fiercely motivated Verstappen, who will be aiming to reassert his dominance and begin a new era of winning.

The details:

• Historic Comeback Falls Short: Verstappen mounted a incredible comeback, overcoming a 104-point deficit to Norris earlier in the season to fall just two points short at the checkered flag. This demonstrates his relentless fighting spirit, even in defeat.
• Champion's Mentality: Herbert believes Verstappen will be disappointed but also happy for Norris due to their friendship. However, this will quickly translate into a singular focus: "I'm going to make sure I get that world championship back."
• A Warning to Norris: The key takeaway from Herbert's analysis is that Norris will have no time to rest on his laurels. The pressure of defending a title against a driver of Verstappen's caliber, now with a point to prove, will be immense.
• Elite Company: Herbert placed Norris among the best World Champions in F1 history, acknowledging the magnitude of his achievement in ending Verstappen's run and solidifying his status as a top-tier driver.

What's next:

The 2026 season now has a clear and compelling narrative: the champion versus the dethroned king. All eyes will be on Red Bull and McLaren to see how they adapt their cars for the new regulations. For Norris, the challenge is to validate his title and handle the immense pressure of being the hunted. For Verstappen, it's an opportunity to prove his 2025 setback was merely a blip and to kickstart his next championship dynasty.