F1 News
'Norris can become champion, but Verstappen is really better in that'
- Ludo van Denderen
At least on paper, Lando Norris seems to have the best chances of winning the 2025 Drivers' title, with McLaren having an optimal winter testing in Bahrain, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing suggested they were not completely satisfied with the RB21. The four-time world champion even stated last week that McLaren and McLaren alone is a contender for the world titles.
Giedo van der Garde sees a top driver in Lando Norris, who could easily become a Formula 1 world champion. However, the former F1 driver does see a caveat as well: "If he has the car, he will be able to compete for it," Van der Garde said to Viaplay during a press briefing, for which the Dutchman will be one of the analysts next season.
The difference between Verstappen and Norris
Last season, Norris failed to become champion even though he had the best car for a substantially longer period. "When it becomes a real fight, you just know that Max is the better in the fight," he said.
So the former driver's conclusion is: "That's where he (Norris, ed.) will have to develop and also get stronger. Because sometimes, last year we saw it in Brazil or anywhere else, when it really came down to it, Max was just the better one."
But, if everything falls his way, Norris could end up champion: "I do think, if Lando Norris has the car and the team chooses him to be the first driver, that he can compete for that title," Van der Garde concludes.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
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