Norris To Receive Boost Going Into 2025 Says Herbert

Monday, 11 November 2024 at 22:00

Former F1 driver Johny Herbert said that Lando Norris made a statement in battle against Max Verstappen and that he will benefit from it moving forward.

The gap between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship has increased to 62 points after the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Consequently, the triple World Champion has the fourth title firmly in his hands (with three race weekends to go) and would have to have a lot of bad luck for Norris to have a chance still.

Former F1 driver, three-time Grand Prix winner, and one of F1's 2024 stewards, Johny Herbert, suggested in an interview with Vision4Sport that one DNF for Verstappen would make a massive change. However, believes the Dutchman would still be the favorite.

"Norris just has to continue doing what he is doing. And one non-finish by Max would make a massive change to the championship. Max is still the hot favourite even if that happened."

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With three race weekends to go, Norris would have to gain 21 points on Verstappen per weekend if he was to win the Championship.

The 27-year-old only has to bring his car home in points, and considering that his worst finish so far was P6, it seems inevitable that he will take his fourth title.

"Max will not have to win and only finish on the podium. He knows what he has to do and is so much more mature this season."

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan delivered a pretty bold verdict on Norris following the race in Brazil, saying that the McLaren Racing F1 driver just "hasn't got it at the moment."

While Herbert acknowledged that the 2024 Drivers's title seems to be decided, he also suggested Norris will benefit from what happened this season and come back stronger in 2025.

"Norris will go into 2025 knowing he can beat Max, whatever happens in the last three races. That's a massive psychological barrier he has overcome."

"He has made his statement and pushed Max to the edge. That's great because it is exactly what you need to do to an opponent, ruffle his feathers and get under his skin."