Lando Norris: “You Don’t Have to Do Anything Special to Beat Max Verstappen”
Lando Norris has made a statement that will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the Formula 1 world: he doesn’t believe anything “special” is required to beat Max Verstappen. Ahead of the 2025 F1 season, the McLaren driver has set the stage for what could be an intense rematch against the reigning four-time world champion. But is Norris being realistic, or is this just the latest chapter in the ever-growing rivalry between the two drivers? Let’s break it all down.
A Season of Highs and Lows for Lando
The 2024 season was a breakthrough year for Lando Norris. After years of being labeled as an “almost there” driver, the Brit finally clinched his maiden victory in Miami and followed it up with triumphs in the Netherlands, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. His performance helped secure McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, an achievement that will go down in the team’s rich history.
But while McLaren celebrated, Norris personally fell short of the ultimate prize: the Drivers’ Championship. Despite having what was arguably the fastest car for much of the season, Norris ended up 63 points behind Verstappen. The Dutch driver endured a 10-race winless streak yet still managed to claim his fourth consecutive title. That stat alone speaks volumes about Verstappen’s sheer dominance, and it raises the question: If having the fastest car isn’t enough, what is?
Norris vs. Verstappen: The Battle of Mexico 2024
One of the defining moments of their 2024 rivalry came in Mexico. Norris found himself on the receiving end of Verstappen’s aggressive racecraft—not once, but twice. The Red Bull driver earned two separate 10-second penalties for his clashes with Norris, yet still managed to dictate the race in a way that saw his rival struggle.
Norris later reflected on the race, suggesting that Verstappen “very willingly sacrificed himself” to ensure the Brit was denied victory.
“When that’s the mentality of a driver, whether it’s Max or any driver, that’s a very difficult one to ever come on top of,” Norris admitted.
It’s a fascinating revelation. Verstappen wasn’t necessarily racing for himself—he was racing to control the championship narrative, even if it meant taking penalties. That’s a level of strategic thinking that goes beyond sheer speed.
Lando’s Bold Assertion: Is Max Overrated?
Despite everything that unfolded in 2024, Norris doesn’t believe Verstappen is unbeatable. In fact, he thinks the answer to getting the better of Max is surprisingly simple:
“I don’t think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max. He’s quick, he’s aggressive, he’s one of the best ever. But the easy way is just going out and being a bit quicker than him and staying ahead.”
On paper, this makes perfect sense. If you’re consistently faster, you win. But how many drivers have actually managed to do that? Very few. Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, combined with his ability to extract the most out of any car, has made him one of the most formidable competitors on the grid. Saying it is one thing—actually doing it is another.
Norris also emphasized the need to be “smart” when racing Verstappen. He acknowledged that he wasn’t always at the level he needed to be last year, admitting that “some things didn’t end up in the perfect way.” But he believes that with a better start to the season and more points on the board early, the 2025 battle could unfold very differently.
Verstappen’s Ruthless Philosophy: “Crossing the Line”
While Norris is focused on playing the long game, Verstappen has never been one to shy away from risk-taking. At the end of 2024, the Red Bull driver gave rare insight into his racing mindset, stating:
“I will always get the maximum out of it. Sometimes you have to cross a line and I’ll do that. I will do everything to get the maximum result out of it for a championship.”
This philosophy explains exactly why Verstappen remains so dominant. His aggressive approach isn’t just about racing wheel-to-wheel—it’s about psychological warfare. He knows that by pushing the limits, he can control how others react to him on track.
When asked if he regretted his clashes with Norris in Mexico, Verstappen was blunt: “Not at all.” That statement alone highlights the difference in mentality between the two drivers. Norris may be planning a strategic approach, but Verstappen is ready to fight at all costs.
Zak Brown’s Confidence in Norris
McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes Norris is ready to take on Verstappen in 2025. He claims that after their numerous on-track battles last season, Norris “now knows exactly how to deal with Max.”
“Max has been very open about how he drives. If you try to overtake him on the outside, he won’t let you. But Lando gave him a great fight in Mexico and made sure there was no clash between them.”
It’s an interesting comment, especially considering Norris was still on the receiving end of Verstappen’s aggressive tactics last year. The question is: Has he truly learned how to handle Max, or is this just McLaren’s PR team building up their star driver ahead of the new season?
F1 2025: The Rematch We’ve Been Waiting For?
One thing is for certain—Norris and Verstappen are on a collision course once again in 2025. The Brit is clearly feeling confident, but Verstappen has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure.
Norris may claim that nothing “special” is required to beat Verstappen, but if that were truly the case, someone would have done it by now. The reality is that Max is a different breed of competitor—one who is willing to push the envelope in ways other drivers hesitate to.
So, can Lando Norris back up his bold words with results? Or will Verstappen continue to reign supreme, proving that beating him takes more than just speed? F1 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling seasons yet, and all eyes will be on these two as they fight for supremacy.
Either way, Norris’ comments have already done their job—stirring the pot and adding fuel to the fire of an already electric rivalry. Buckle up, because this one is going to be intense.
