Rene Arnoux understands why people are backing McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship but says it’s still too soon to rule out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, the title picture appears clearer than ever. Lando Norris leads the standings with a 24-point cushion over both his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, positioning himself to clinch the championship as early as Qatar. With a possible two-point advantage across the Sprint and Sunday’s race enough to secure the crown, he could wrap things up before the finale in Abu Dhabi.
But despite the numbers heavily favouring the 26-year-old, the path to the championship hasn’t been straightforward. McLaren’s double disqualification in Las Vegas injected new life into Verstappen’s campaign, reducing what could have been an almost insurmountable lead and reminding the paddock how fragile momentum can be.
Arnoux believes Verstappen’s ‘incredible luck’ keeps him alive in the title race
Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux remains reluctant to crown Norris just yet. He points to Verstappen’s remarkable ability to regain ground at key moments — including the Dutchman benefitting from Norris’ retirement at Zandvoort, Oscar Piastri’s collision with his teammate in the COTA Sprint, and the double DSQ that reshuffled the Las Vegas result. Norris would have left Nevada with a 30-point advantage over Piastri and a 42-point margin over Verstappen had his P2 finish stood.
“Obviously, he’s starting at a disadvantage,” Arnoux told Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s easy to think Norris will take home the title with such a big advantage. However, Max also has something that shouldn’t be underestimated. He’s incredibly lucky — and in a situation like this, having a bit of luck is crucial.”
Why Arnoux still backs Verstappen to ‘make the difference’
Arnoux emphasises that Verstappen’s strengths extend far beyond fortune. He highlights occasions where Norris failed to fully capitalise on Piastri’s crashes — particularly in Azerbaijan, where Norris botched his Q3 lap and finished only seventh despite his teammate crashing twice. For Arnoux, Verstappen’s consistency, adaptability and ability to elevate his performance throughout the weekend make him uniquely dangerous.
“If anyone can do it, it’s him,” he insisted. “In this Formula 1, the difference is always in a few tenths — and that’s where he makes the difference. He improves even when things start badly on Friday, and in the rain he’s the only one capable of winning from last place.”
To win a fifth straight world title and join Michael Schumacher in an exclusive club, Verstappen will need to rely on both skill and fortune once more. Norris, meanwhile, simply needs to keep his races clean — and if he does, the championship should be his.
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