Verstappen on Norris Title Potential: 'Nothing I Lied About'

Max Verstappen has reiterated his belief in Lando Norris's championship capabilities, affirming his 'your time will come' message from last season, stating there was 'nothing I lied about.' This comes as Norris currently leads the F1 2025 Drivers' Championship by 24 points with two rounds remaining.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's consistent praise for Norris highlights the McLaren driver's growing maturity and performance, especially as Norris now stands on the brink of his maiden F1 title. This endorsement from a multiple world champion underscores the high regard Norris has earned within the paddock, adding another layer of intrigue to a closely contested championship battle.

The details:

• Verstappen's 2024 Message: After securing his fourth title in Las Vegas last season, Verstappen embraced Norris and told him, 'Your time will come one day. Be patient. Even at McLaren when it was not going that well, I said 'I know you are capable of winning titles.'' He stands by this statement, emphasizing its truthfulness.
• Norris's Championship Lead: Despite a recent disqualification that cut into his lead, Norris remains 24 points ahead in the F1 2025 Drivers' Championship, heading into the final two races.
• Norris's Transformation: Verstappen notes a 'definitely a bit different' Lando Norris this season, attributing it to growth from past mistakes and overall performance improvements. He highlighted Norris's ability to 'put weekends together very nicely' lately.
• Norris's Self-Assessment: Norris himself attributes his strong season to two key factors:
  • Improved Performance: He acknowledges 'doing better jobs' and 'performing better more often.'
  • Enhanced Mindset: He's become 'more positive and less negative' on bad days, fostering greater self-belief to 'turn it around.'
• Turning Around Challenges: Norris explained his ability to recover from challenging sessions, even when 'a bit lost' after qualifying. This newfound resilience provides a 'very reassuring feeling.'

What's next:

Lando Norris has a clear path to secure his first F1 title at the Qatar Grand Prix. Should he outscore Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri by just two points in Qatar, he will establish an unassailable lead, clinching the championship with one race remaining. All eyes will be on McLaren and Norris to see if he can convert his strong season into a well-deserved championship.