Lando Norris Wary Of Max Verstappen’s Late Title Charge: ‘He’s Genuinely A…’

Max Verstappen has won two consecutive races at Monza and Baku (Picture credit: AP)

McLaren’s Lando Norris acknowledged on Thursday that Red Bull’s defending champion Max Verstappen has become ‘genuinely a challenger’ as the 2025 Formula One championship enters its final straight.

Verstappen is coming hot off victories in Monza and Baku and would aim for a third consecutive grand prix triumph in Singapore on Sunday. The gap between the second-placed Norris and Verstappen has been reduced to 44 points with only seven races to go. Championship leader and Norris’ partner, Oscar Piastri’s crash in Baku allowed Verstappen to narrow the gap to the Australian to 69 points.

When asked if Verstappen posed a threat, Norris told reporters: “(He’s) genuinely a challenger. I think if you go back to the beginning of the season, you know they were challenging the first six, seven races of race wins, challenging us in the drivers, and then we brought some upgrades, improved a little bit. A couple of weeks ago, they brought some upgrades, and it seems like that’s kind of put them back on the same level as us.”

Norris won at Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit 12 months ago and emphasised the importance of McLaren quickly reasserting their dominance after a poor weekend in Baku, where the Englishman finished seventh. He, however, believes they are still worthy of carrying the favorites tag.

“We still come into every race with the ambition and with the goal of winning and wanting to dominate as a team,” said Norris. “I think we’re still expecting and we still come into every race with the ambition and with the goal of winning and wanting to dominate as a team and continue the form that we’ve had all season,” he explained. Nevertheless, it’s a track where Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull certainly over the last few weekends have been closer, so we expect battles especially with him.”

Verstappen has never won in Singapore, where Red Bull have struggled with the heat and high downforce required, but came close 12 months ago when he finished second to Norris.

“He qualified one tenth behind me here last year, even when we were already dominant, he was only one tenth off,” recalled Norris. “So I expect him to be quick for many of the races this season. But we’re focusing on ourselves, and I’ll try and maximise every result I can.”