The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to produce a highly competitive season as Max Verstappen and Red Bull do not look to have the strongest package.
Despite the drop in performance from the RB20 at the halfway point of the season, Verstappen still managed to hold onto the advantage he created at the start of the year, where he won seven of the opening 10 races.
Lando Norris had been the Dutchman’s closest challenger for the title as Red Bull struggled to extract the most from their package. But despite McLaren having the fastest car, Norris could not take advantage as Verstappen sealed his fourth consecutive title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, Norris enjoyed his best season in F1 to date, winning his first four races in the sport, as well as claiming eight pole positions to finish runner-up in the championship, 63 points behind Verstappen.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Max Verstappen |
437 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
374 |
| 3 |
Charles Leclerc |
356 |
| 4 |
Oscar Piastri |
292 |
| 5 |
Carlos Sainz Jr |
290 |
| 6 |
George Russell |
245 |
| 7 |
Lewis Hamilton |
223 |
| 8 |
Sergio Perez |
152 |
| 9 |
Fernando Alonso |
70 |
| 10 |
Pierre Gasly |
42 |
After being in the title fight for the first time in his F1 career, Norris will be eager to carry on his momentum into 2025 and challenge for the championship from the beginning of the season.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, 2016 champion Nico Rosberg offered some recommendations to the McLaren driver to stay sharp during the winter break.
Nico Rosberg tells Lando Norris to do go-karting during the off-season to prepare for 2025
The 2024 season has been a learning year by Norris’ own admission as he understands what he must do to battle Verstappen next year.
Several key figures have offered some advice to the 24-year-old for his championship bid. Eddie Jordan says Norris should study Verstappen’s onboard footage to prepare for next season.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
And Rosberg also offered some recommendations to the Brit as he told him to ‘keep driving’ during the winter break, as well as mentally and physically ‘prepare the hell out of it’ for 2025.
“You never know in F1 when the next opportunity comes to be a world champion,” he said.
“You really never know because you depend so much on your team, and we know that the regulations are changing in 2026 in the biggest way they’ve perhaps ever changed in Formula 1, it’s just crazy.
“Literally, the team that’s first could be like, almost last in the year after if you just get it completely wrong, it’s just going to change so much. So, you never know when your next chance comes to be a world champion.
“And therefore, prepare the hell out of it, every single detail, whether it’s physical, mental, take a mental coach, psychologist, I did as well.
“Everything. With the team, keep driving during the winter, go-karting, keep your skills active, just everything possible.”
Will 2025 be Lando Norris’ year to win the world championship?
Rosberg sees Norris as his favourite to win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship after his dominant victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Brit went mostly unchallenged as he converted pole position to victory and held off pressure from Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari, displaying the strength of the McLaren heading into 2025.
Martin Brundle says Norris’ ‘totally calm’ performance cements him as a favourite for 2025, as he is now comfortable battling at the front for pole positions and race wins.
McLaren will head into next season with the strongest package over Ferrari and Red Bull. Only time will tell if they can take advantage of their performance and go that extra step to win the drivers’ title.
