Lando Norris vs Max Verstappen: An insight into Formula 1’s dramatic season climax

With the title race heating up and the clock ticking down towards the end of the Formula 1 season, there’s plenty of discussion surrounding the drama yet to come.

Lando Norris is hot on the heels of Max Verstappen but quickly running out of races to close the gap of 52 points to the Championship leader.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Sam Leasley sits down with Pole Position podcast host Talia Hill to discuss their perspectives on the season so far and what drama they expect in the remaining races.

Lando Norris’ title chances

Will Lando Norris win the 2024 Drivers’ Championship?

Sam: If we had more than six races remaining, I would be inclined to say yes, however, I feel the points to accumulate are too high against a driver with bags of talent and success in Max Verstappen.

Talia: To put it bluntly, no, I don’t think he will. Norris has been thrown head first into a championship battle that I don’t think even he was prepared for, at least not this soon.

Verstappen just possesses that winning mentality that will get him over the line, albeit at a much closer margin than he was anticipating.

Will the swap in Hungary of Piastri and Norris come back to bite McLaren?

Sam: I feel race by race McLaren are awaiting the wrath of Lando Norris should this be the reason Verstappen beats him in the Drivers’ Championship.

Red Bull are never shy at compromising Checo’s race in order to give Max every advantage. I feel, should the deficit end in single digits, it will be seen as an even bigger misstep on McLaren’s part.

Talia: I know that the precedent should be that no driver is bigger than the team, but it does seem that McLaren trying to keep their driver partnership fair may end up costing them a double of Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships.

Obviously having the two fight it out can lead to even more disastrous consequences, but the difference between having a definite number one driver and not could cost Norris.

If he doesn’t win it this season, do you feel Norris will win the Drivers’ Championship in 2025?

Sam: Next season is probably one of the toughest to predict in recent years, but I feel if he doesn’t win this year, we will see probably the most serious and competitive

Lando Norris we have seen in Formula 1. And if McLaren can build on their second-half success across the full season, I see no reason why he can’t.

Talia: I would absolutely love for that to be the case, but there are so many new variables for next season, so I have no idea how it will shape up.

With Hamilton at Ferrari, a rejuvenated McLaren, and Red Bull perhaps on the decline, it's shaping up to be a title fight that could easily span three, four or even five drivers.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton's bold leap to Ferrari: A game-changer in Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo’s departure

How does it feel to lose Daniel Ricciardo from the Formula 1 line-up?

Sam: Really anticlimactic to be completely honest. I feel the announcement was made with very little care put into it. It was almost a “by the way guys, Ricciardo is leaving” as opposed to the proper send-off he deserved.

Talia: I just don’t understand it. There are six races left of the season, and it’s not as if RB are a title contender and Ricciardo was underperforming.

I don’t feel Liam Lawson provides an improvement to Ricciardo, and with such little time left it feels like a complete mess.

What is your favourite Daniel Ricciardo memory?

Sam: It has to be the ‘Shoey’ after Monza. I don’t think anyone expected a McLaren win at any point during that period of Formula 1. To have a 1-2 and a Honey Badger win was incredible to see.

Talia: Yeah, I don’t think anything tops that race in Monza. It was McLaren’s first win in nine years. Scrolling through social media watching how happy he was, was brilliant to see.

How do you feel the reaction will be should Ricciardo stealing the fastest lap in Singapore prove decisive in the title race?

Sam: Well, that’s the advantage of Red Bull effectively having four cars in a race, but it almost felt like a pity point for Ricciardo on his way out. I feel there might be unwanted press should a single point be the decider.

Talia: Obviously Ricciardo is just following team orders, but it felt like RB were putting him in the middle of a fight he isn’t included in.

As a former team-mate of both Max and Lando, I don’t think either will feel ill of him taking the fastest lap, but it will be interesting to see how Lando reacts if a point is enough to make a difference.

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Early 2025 season plot points

What do you think is the most surprising line-up change for the 2025 season?

Sam: I know the obvious answer is Hamilton to Ferrari, but I have to point out Sainz moving to Williams.

Even Williams must be unable to believe how they secured his services considering he’s currently 5th in the driver standings despite being clearly the second driver in Ferrari’s eyes.

Talia: I think an interesting aspect in the line-up changes for next season is the dilemma for who Ferrari will prioritise.

Obviously currently they see Leclerc as their number one and the future of the team, but you don’t spend the copious amount of money to bring Lewis on board to not give him the number one spot.

The battle at Ferrari may include even more drama than that in the title race if Ferrari choose favourites.

Who will be the surprise package for next season?

Sam: I feel next season is all or nothing for Sergio Perez. I feel the extra pressure of a slightly faltering Red Bull and the comparisons made to Verstappen will spur him on and hopefully bring him back into contention.

Talia: I have a feeling Piastri will definitely surprise supporters next year as he’s already been holding his own in the current McLaren car and has a chance to finish third in only his second-ever F1 season.

I wouldn’t be too shocked seeing him in a title fight either should the McLaren stay a competitive championship-winning car.

Finally, who wins the title next season?

Sam: Recent consecutive champions in Vettel and Hamilton have both had their dynasties stopped after four straight titles. I’m backing Verstappen to break that streak and claim a fifth straight Drivers’ Championship (should he claim his fourth this season).

He’s a serial winner and even if he ruffles many supporters’ feathers, he knows what’s at stake and how to silence the doubters.

Talia: If McLaren continue to upgrade the car and build off a possible Constructors’ Championship, then I feel Norris has what it takes. But like I said earlier, there is no telling what the championship battle will look like next year.

If others improve at the same pace, don’t be surprised either if Ferrari push their way to the top of the standings.

Be sure to follow Talia on TikTok, @F1tals and catch her podcast on Spotify!