Lando Norris will be looking to avoid any distractions ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, especially from former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, before what is the biggest race of his career.
Lando Norris arrives in Abu Dhabi with a 12-point edge over Max Verstappen — but not everyone believes the McLaren star will finish the job. Despite McLaren sealing the constructors’ crown back in Singapore, the team has struggled to close out the drivers’ championship, and Norris now faces the biggest race of his career under immense pressure.
Oscar Piastri spent much of the season looking like McLaren’s best title hope, yet the Australian now enters the finale as an outsider in the first three-way decider since 2010. And while McLaren have shielded Norris at every opportunity, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has listed several reasons why he’s convinced Verstappen will emerge with a fifth straight championship.
Bernie Ecclestone explains why he believes Verstappen will beat Norris
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ecclestone made it clear he still expects Verstappen to overturn Norris’ lead. He praised the Red Bull driver as “the best I have known,” comparing him favourably even to Alain Prost. Ecclestone argued that Norris’ biggest weakness is his temperament, calling him “over-confident” and “too cocky,” insisting the Briton becomes unsettled in high-pressure moments while Verstappen “always delivers when it matters.”
He also criticised McLaren’s internal handling of their drivers, suggesting the team has been overly protective of Norris — citing the Monza swap after a slow pit stop — and warning that such choices “aren’t what I would have done.” Ultimately, Ecclestone said Verstappen’s mindset gives him the decisive edge: “You can never bet against Max… he has nothing to lose.”
Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi record adds to Norris’ concerns
Sunday will mark Verstappen’s 11th appearance at Yas Marina, and his history there offers little comfort to Norris. Aside from a difficult rookie outing, the Dutchman has been consistently strong in Abu Dhabi, famously winning the controversial 2021 finale and stringing together four straight victories before Norris triumphed last season.
Verstappen’s P6 finish last year was overshadowed by a penalty following contact with Piastri, which even drew frustration from Martin Brundle. Norris, meanwhile, is fully aware of the pressure weighing on him as he seeks McLaren’s first drivers’ title since 2008. And according to Ecclestone, he may need the kind of dramatic incident that derailed his rivals in the past — because in a straight fight, Verstappen remains the man to beat.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
