Lando Norris joined the ranks of Formula 1 champions in 2025, clinching the title with McLaren after an intense season-long battle.
Piastri looked strong early on, especially after his win in Jeddah, which helped him maintain a lead for much of the season. But as the year went on, things started to change.
As Piastri struggled with circuits that didn’t suit his driving style, Norris began to turn things around. He found consistency and managed to edge out Max Verstappen by just two points in one of the closest title fights we’ve seen in years.
Speaking about Norris’ growth during the year, Jacques Villeneuve said, He became a true winner this year. There was a lot to deal with mentally because he came up through social media and then TV really early. Sometimes that can affect you.
Having raced directly against Verstappen the previous season, Norris entered 2025 knowing what it would take to come out on top—and he managed it over a full campaign.
Lando Norris still not on par with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, says Michael Bleekemolen
Still, Michael Bleekemolen doesn’t see Norris at the same level as Verstappen. He pointed out that there were a few incidents in 2025 that cost him valuable points.
In Canada, Norris made contact with Piastri while fighting for third place. Later in the season, they were involved in another crash during the Sprint race in Austin, though that one was more of a racing incident than anything else.
Even so, Bleekemolen doesn’t believe Norris matches up to Verstappen or even to seven-time champions Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
When asked by RacingNews365 if Norris deserved the 2025 title, he said: “Not if I compare him to Max Verstappen.”
“In Canada…he just drove into the back of Piastri. If I compare him to Max, it was a dramatic thing.”
Lando Norris’s place among F1 legends after his 2025 Championship
Norris has a long road ahead before he can be spoken of in the same breath as Verstappen, Hamilton, or Schumacher. But claiming a world title is still a significant milestone that puts his name into the conversation.
By joining McLaren’s list of champions, Norris is now in the same company as legends like Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, and Niki Lauda—drivers who also brought titles back to Woking.
Norris will want to take that form from 2025 and use it again next year. The rule changes for 2026 mean everyone starts from scratch, but if McLaren gets their design right, he could be in another title race.
And if he manages to do that while breaking Prost’s record for McLaren podiums along the way, his case for being one of F1’s all-time greats will only get stronger.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
