Verstappen or Norris F1 champion in 2025? Brundle: 'He is the man to beat'
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- Nicole Mulder
Sky Sports reporter Martin Brundle believes that Max Verstappen will be "the man to beat" for the 2025 F1 season. However, Brundle, along with many others, believe that this could be one of the more open seasons the premier class of motorsport has seen in a long time, with McLaren and Ferrari also vying for both drivers' and constructors' championship success for the upcoming season.
Brundle: 'Verstappen at Red Bull, that's a one-man show'
Verstappen was able to seal his fourth consecutive drivers' title in 2024, but Red Bull missed out on the constructors' due to a poor season from Sergio Perez. Nw, with Liam Lawson replacing the Mexican, there is a hope two titles can be won by the Austrian team. But Brundle believes that the New Zealander won be challenging Verstappen for the World Championship in 2025
"I think it's very brave to write someone anybody off or write anybody into a championship-winning position," Brundle began during a Sky Sports broadcast. "I think it's different for McLaren a little bit because they have two drivers who could take points off each other. Ferrari, that could well happen too."
At Red Bull, Brundle doesn't see that happening. "Max and Red Bull, that's a one-horse race. We have Antonelli in the Mercedes who has a lot to learn, so Mercedes could also be a one-horse race with George Russell. I think that'll play to their hands for the Drivers' Championship," explained the former F1 driver.
Brundle: 'Verstappen still the man to beat'
"The constructors' championship is a different deal, I think McLaren have probably got the biggest challenge there. But if Hamilton and Leclerc are close together, they will start stealing points off each other, and that will make the World Drivers' Championship difficult for Ferrari," he added.
The Sky Sports commentator was then asked if he sees Lando Norris as a title favourite, and he went on to say that it all depends on what the cars around him perform like: "Honestly, we'll see if Red Bull have recovered their car. That is the key thing. If Red Bull have recovered their car and Verstappen is on form, he will still the man to beat for the title," Brundle concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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