AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Lando Norris Admits He Wasn’t Ready for Verstappen in 2024—But 2025 Could Be Different

Publisher by Publisher
February 16, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Lando Norris Backtracks on Brazil Outburst, Admits Verstappen’s Brilliance at FIA Gala

Reuter

Lando Norris isn’t making excuses.

After falling short in the 2024 Formula 1 title fight against Max Verstappen, the McLaren star has candidly admitted he wasn’t at the level needed to dethrone the reigning champion.

But as he prepares for a fresh battle in 2025, Norris believes that with the right approach, the championship is within reach—and it doesn’t require anything extraordinary.

“I wasn’t simply quite at the level that I need to be to race against Max,” Norris confessed.
“He’s one of the hardest attacking-defensive drivers you can ever go up against.”

So, what does Norris need to do differently? Simple—start strong, be quicker, and stay ahead.


A Chaotic 2024 Rivalry—Verstappen’s Controversial Tactics vs. Norris’ Learning Curve

The 2024 season saw Verstappen and Norris clash multiple times, with their Mexico showdown standing out as a defining moment.

  • Verstappen’s aggressive defensive driving drew criticism throughout the season.
  • He wasn’t afraid to “sacrifice” his own race to hurt Norris’ chances in the championship fight.
  • Norris struggled to break through Verstappen’s tactics despite McLaren’s impressive pace.

“Like we saw in Mexico, [Max] very willingly sacrificed himself for the benefit of the overall outcome,” Norris reflected.

This was a lesson learned the hard way—Verstappen’s experience in title fights allowed him to manipulate situations to his advantage, something Norris had to learn on the fly.

Now, he’s ready to apply that knowledge in 2025.


The Key to Beating Verstappen? Norris Says It’s Simple

Despite acknowledging Verstappen’s skill, aggression, and tactical brilliance, Norris isn’t overcomplicating things for 2025.

“I don’t think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max,” he explained.
“He’s quick, he’s aggressive, he’s one of the best ever. The easy way is just going out and being a bit quicker than him and staying ahead.”

In other words: no tricks, no mind games—just pure performance.

If McLaren can hit the ground running, Norris believes he can control his own fate rather than reacting to Verstappen’s tactics.

“I just need more points from the beginning, and hopefully it’s the other way around.”

A fast start is crucial—if Norris leads early, it’s Verstappen who’ll have to chase, not the other way around.


Can Norris and McLaren Deliver in 2025?

With the final year of the ground-effect era, multiple teams are expected to challenge for the title:

  • McLaren is poised to fight from the start.
  • Ferrari will be in the mix with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
  • Mercedes hopes to bounce back into contention.

And, of course, Red Bull won’t be sitting still—Verstappen is already working to eliminate the weaknesses that nearly cost him in 2024.

“He’s going to work hard to improve,” Norris acknowledged. “I have to do the same.”

The 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be an all-out war—and this time, Norris plans to be ready from the very first lap.

Share214Tweet134Send

Related Posts

Sebastian Vettel’s Bold Prediction: Red Bull’s Epic Comeback to Challenge McLaren Dominance
Motorsports

Sebastian Vettel’s Shocking Endorsement: Fallen F1 Star Primed for 2026 Cadillac Comeback

F1 Sensation: Shocking Comeback on the Horizon for Axed Star in 2026! In a stunning turn of events, Formula 1...

by Simon Monroy
May 9, 2025
Evans and Rovanperä’s High-Stakes Showdown: Intense Rivalry Unfolds in World Rally Championship
Motorsports

Evans and Rovanperä’s High-Stakes Showdown: Intense Rivalry Unfolds in World Rally Championship

Elfyn Evans, the current leader of the World Rally Championship, is facing a daunting challenge as he heads into the...

by David Castro
May 9, 2025
FIA President Enlists Powerhouse Returnee to Revolutionize World Championships
Motorsports

FIA’s Fiery Legal Battles Under Ben Sulayem: A Transformational Turbulence In Formula 1

The FIA Under Fire: Legal Battles Threaten Formula 1's Future The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is in hot water...

by Simon Monroy
May 9, 2025
Rising Star Alex Dunne Joins NEOM McLaren Formula E as Reserve and Development Driver
Motorsports

Rising Star Alex Dunne Roars at Zandvoort: F1 Test Surprise Shakes McLaren World

A young Irish talent steals the spotlight at Zandvoort F1 testing alongside Colapinto! In preparation for the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand...

by Harry Stone
May 9, 2025

Recent News

Sebastian Vettel’s Bold Prediction: Red Bull’s Epic Comeback to Challenge McLaren Dominance

Sebastian Vettel’s Shocking Endorsement: Fallen F1 Star Primed for 2026 Cadillac Comeback

May 9, 2025
Evans and Rovanperä’s High-Stakes Showdown: Intense Rivalry Unfolds in World Rally Championship

Evans and Rovanperä’s High-Stakes Showdown: Intense Rivalry Unfolds in World Rally Championship

May 9, 2025
FIA President Enlists Powerhouse Returnee to Revolutionize World Championships

FIA’s Fiery Legal Battles Under Ben Sulayem: A Transformational Turbulence In Formula 1

May 9, 2025
Rising Star Alex Dunne Joins NEOM McLaren Formula E as Reserve and Development Driver

Rising Star Alex Dunne Roars at Zandvoort: F1 Test Surprise Shakes McLaren World

May 9, 2025

Newsletter

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x