Bernie Ecclestone issues verdict on whether Lando Norris is as good as Max Verstappen, ‘the answer is…’

Lando Norris is bidding to dethrone Max Verstappen in 2025. If he does so, he’ll deny Verstappen the chance to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of five titles in a row.

F1 has had a shortage of new champions in recent years. Since 2014, Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have won 10 out of 11 championships, with Nico Rosberg’s 2016 triumph the only exception.

After lifting the trophy for the first time in 2021, Verstappen authoritatively saw off an early challenge from Charles Leclerc at the start of the ground-effect era. He then produced the most dominant season ever in 2023.

Red Bull carried their lead into the early part of 2024, allowing the Dutchman to win four of the first five races. Even though they unexpectedly slipped to third in the pecking order, Verstappen had a big enough cushion to continue his streak.

But Norris now has the best chance to stop Verstappen since Hamilton in 2021. Helmut Marko says McLaren are up to a second faster than their rivals in race trim, the key ingredient for a dominant season.

Marko may be exaggerating to pile pressure on his rivals, but everybody in the paddock thinks McLaren are quickest. Thus, it comes down to whether the team can execute at the elite level, and Norris can can make the most of the car’s performance.

Bernie Ecclestone shares his ‘doubts’ around McLaren star Lando Norris

Speaking to sport.de, ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone offered his take on the upcoming title battle. Despite McLaren’s apparent pace advantage, he has little confidence in Norris or Oscar Piastri.

As long as Verstappen has the tools, Ecclestone says he won’t be beaten. Red Bull must demonstrate that they have made the ‘necessary changes’ over the winter.

If it comes down to driver talent, Norris will apparently lose out. He’s collected four wins, nine poles and 26 podiums so far in his career.

“Whether either of them will win the world championship – I have my doubts,” Ecclestone said of the McLaren drivers. “Give Max the right car and see what happens.”

“Is he as good as Max? The answer is no!”

Ecclestone regards Verstappen as the favourite on that basis, but he did ask: “Have [Red Bull] made the necessary changes that McLaren managed to make?”

Why ex-McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley is worried the team will face a ‘disaster’ this season

Toto Wolff believes Norris will be a better driver this year than he was in 2024. There was an argument that he needed to go through the pain to reach a championship-winning level.

This could lead to a different approach on track. Damon Hill says Norris must not fall into Verstappen’s ‘trap’ and treat him like a friend on track.

The very best drivers are also able to take control of a team’s strategy from the cockpit. Given McLaren’s errors in this department last season, the Englishman may assume more responsibility.

Having asserted himself as the team’s no. 1 at the end of last season, he could face a renewed challenge from Piastri. Marc Priestley fears a ‘disaster’ scenario at McLaren, potentially repeating the debilitatingly tense Hamilton and Fernando Alonso days.