Former Method 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has backed Max Verstappen for the 2025 drivers’ championship as he argued Lando Norris is “over-confident, too cocky”.
The drivers’ championship title comes down to what’s certain to be a tense season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Heading into the race, Norris leads the standings with 12 factors over Verstappen in second. Norris’s McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri can be nonetheless within the battle and presently sits 4 factors behind Verstappen.Â
When discussing the championship, Ecclestone argued that Verstappen is the perfect driver he has recognized, whereas including that Norris generally fails to ship in high-pressure conditions.
“I nonetheless consider Max will do it,” he instructed Every day Mail Sport. “He deserves it. I used to say Alain Prost was the perfect driver of all time, doing it on his personal with no radio to the pit wall telling him what to do, however I believe Max is the perfect I’ve recognized. He stands alone.
“Lando is ok, a very good driver, however he’s over-confident, too cocky, believing his personal publicity, however he will get nervous at crunch moments and might’t fairly ship the way in which Max can when the stress is on.
“I mentioned from the beginning of the season that Max would do it in the long run, and I nonetheless consider that’s the case.”
Whereas McLaren has maintained a ‘could the perfect man win’ strategy to managing Piastri and Norris all year long, Ecclestone believes the Woking outfit has been extra supportive of Norris.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photos
“McLaren have been very useful to Lando over Oscar, supporting him over the opposite man, akin to altering them round in Monza after Lando had a nasty pitstop, and that approach of working could but be good for them, I don’t know,” he added.
“It’s not what I’d have performed. A nasty pitstop is a part of racing. It’s a must to settle for it, not engineer it.
“However you’ll be able to by no means guess towards Max. He’s one thing particular. He’s one-off, and a super-nice man, and I hope he will get the job performed. He has nothing to lose, in order that can be a bonus, too.”
Images from Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Thursday, in pictures
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
