Norris Gains Unexpected Backing from Guenther Steiner in F1 Title Bid
Former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner, initially a critic, has now publicly backed Lando Norris to win his maiden F1 title. After previously betting on Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, Steiner acknowledges Norris's strong form and leadership in the championship. The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to be a crucial test, with Norris having the chance to eliminate Verstappen from title contention, though McLaren has historically struggled at the circuit.
Lando Norris currently holds a significant lead in what could be his maiden F1 title campaign, and surprisingly, former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has publicly backed the Briton to "bring it home." Steiner, who previously placed his bets on Oscar Piastri and then Max Verstappen, now sees Norris as the favorite, despite his earlier criticisms.
Why it matters:
After a season of fluctuating fortunes and an unpredictable championship battle, a prominent figure like Guenther Steiner shifting his support to Lando Norris highlights the McLaren driver's strong momentum. This endorsement, coming from a well-known F1 personality who initially doubted Norris, underscores the growing belief in his title chances and could further fuel the excitement as the season nears its conclusion.
The details:
- Steiner's Shifting Bets: Early in the season, Guenther Steiner favored Oscar Piastri for the 2025 Drivers' crown. When Piastri's momentum waned, Steiner then backed Max Verstappen. However, Norris's dominant wins in Mexico and Brazil led Steiner to re-evaluate.
- Norris's Strong Form: Norris has established a firm grip on the championship lead, largely due to his recent strong performances and consistent podium finishes, including two dominant victories.
- Championship Standings: Norris currently leads the championship by 24 points over teammate Oscar Piastri and 49 points over Max Verstappen with three Grand Prix races and one sprint event remaining.
- Las Vegas Challenge: Despite his confidence in Norris, Steiner acknowledges that the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix could be challenging for McLaren, as the team has historically struggled at this circuit. This presents a potential hurdle for Norris to maintain his lead.
- Steiner stated, "If Lando does a good race, a solid race, then I think he can bring it home. But Las Vegas will certainly be interesting, because McLaren in Las Vegas was never really good and that's why everyone expects a little bit [of a dip]."
- Verstappen's Diminishing Hopes: In Las Vegas, Norris has the opportunity to effectively eliminate Max Verstappen from title contention by outscoring him by at least nine points.
What's next:
The F1 paddock now looks towards the critical Las Vegas Grand Prix. While Norris holds a comfortable lead, the unique challenges of the Las Vegas circuit, combined with the unpredictable nature of F1, mean the title fight is far from over. If Norris can navigate Las Vegas successfully, his path to a maiden championship will become significantly clearer, potentially solidifying his status as a future F1 legend. Conversely, a strong performance from Verstappen or Piastri in Vegas could reignite the championship battle in the final two races.