Nobody has managed to beat Max Verstappen for four consecutive seasons, and there’s a very good reason behind that run.
All great champions are difficult to get by – just think of the relentless nature of the likes of Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna.
It took special talents for them to be beaten. Guys like Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who have all won multiple championships themselves.
This season, a non-champion in the form of Lando Norris has tested Verstappen, but ultimately fallen short as a result of his large early-season advantage.
There’s ‘no messing around’ with Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen battles
Norris ran Verstappen close this season, but lacked a bit of consistency and cutting edge to beat him over the course of a season.
Their clash at the Austrian Grand Prix showed how little the Dutchman is going to spare in a title fight, suggesting not much has changed since his 2021 battle with Hamilton.
READ MORE: Charles Leclerc outlines what ‘means a lot’ more than beating Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Speaking on the Drive To Wynn podcast, Justin Bell shared how he thinks that Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri is actually better at facing up to his rival than he is.
“I definitely think when Lando and you see it, comes up behind Max, or George comes up behind Max. They kind of half-assed do it and they show what they’re going to do.
“Whereas Max doesn’t even entertain that, he just goes by which is what I see in Oscar Piastri too. There’s no messing around with Piastri, he gets behind you, he goes by.”
Can Piastri lead a championship charge in 2025?
Although Bell insists that Piastri has a stronger cutting edge to him than Norris, the Brit has been more impressive than his teammate this season.
Piastri has made Q3 all but once in 23 events, but has lacked a little bit of race pace in comparison to his rivals.
READ MORE: Jenson Button says Lando Norris emulated F1 legend by letting Oscar Piastri win Qatar Grand Prix Sprint
In year two of his career, it’s clear that he is still learning how to manage the Pirelli tyres, which can be incredibly difficult to deal with.
The final race of the 2024 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is crucial for McLaren as they bid to end a 16-year championship drought, so they will need both drivers on top form.
Building some momentum for 2025 is important too, and could help establish who will be the top dog in their third year together.
