One Red Bull radio message shows Lando Norris exactly how to beat Max Verstappen in 2025

Max Verstappen is aiming to become only the second Formula 1 driver ever to win five consecutive world titles in 2025. He sealed his fourth successive crown at the Las Vegas GP last month.

In doing so, Verstappen matches the best streaks of Juan Manuel Fangio, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Only Michael Schumacher has ever strung together more championships.

While McLaren won the constructors’ title and finished 77 points ahead of third-place Red Bull, Verstappen may still enter 2025 as the favourite. That’s because he’s a demonstrable all-time great who seems to be driving better than ever.

While Red Bull lost their way in the middle third of the season, there was reason for optimism in the later rounds. The soaking conditions in Sao Paulo were certainly anonymous, but Verstappen converted Sprint pole in the United States and was also fastest in Qatar qualifying before his controlled victory.

Verstappen was 69 points clear of Lando Norris at the start of his 10-race winless run between Austria and Mexico, and his advantage was still 63 by the end of the season. That shows he’ll be extremely difficult to beat even if he doesn’t have the fastest car.

Lewis Hamilton could be invigorated by his move to Ferrari, but Norris still looks most likely to dethrone the Dutchman. There are minimal changes to the regulations over the winter, which should work in the Briton’s favour.

Lando Norris needs to rile up Max Verstappen to win 2025 Formula 1 title

Verstappen’s title celebrations already felt like a distant memory when he arrived at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Nico Hulkenberg’s three-place penalty promoted him to fourth on the grid, and he saw an opportunity to snatch second from Oscar Piastri at turn one after passing Carlos Sainz.

However, Verstappen’s ill-judged lunge down the inside led to contact, with both drivers spinning out. The stewards handed the 27-year-old a 10-second penalty for causing a collision.

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Intriguingly, the radio transcript from the race reveals that Red Bull didn’t tell Verstappen about his penalty until lap 29, moments before he served it in the pit lane. He called the stewards ‘stupid idiots’ in response.

Martin Brundle was furious with Verstappen for the language he used, and Red Bull’s concerns were clearly justified. They seemingly feared he’d start driving angry if they informed him earlier.

Nico Rosberg comes up with another underhand tactic Lando Norris can use vs Max Verstappen

Verstappen has virtually no weaknesses, but he can be hot-headed at times on track. In Hungary, he attempted a somewhat reckless move on Hamilton that dramatically launched his car and cost him place.

This was after Verstappen sent a series of enraged radio messages to his team. It was clear in Abu Dhabi that he was trying to manage his driver’s temper.

Norris has tried to maintain his friendship with Verstappen even while battling him for the title. But there may be some merit in trying to bring out his impetuous side.

Having beaten another legend in Hamilton eight years ago, Nico Rosberg told Norris to push for a rule change to outlaw some of his rival’s controversial wheel-to-wheel tactics. Verstappen stops at nothing to win a championship, and his rivals must learn to do the same.