Does Lando Norris have the makings of a world champion? This is the question asked by Nico Rosberg, World Champion 2016 with Mercedes, who sees him as one of the top contenders for the title in 2025. After a solid 2024 season, where he clearly showed his potential, the McLaren driver could find himself playing in the big league alongside Max Verstappen.
But beware, the road won’t be easy, and some aspects of his driving still need to be refined. Here’s why Nico Rosberg thinks Norris could very well claim the 2025 F1 World Championship.
Read more:
- A Ferrari engine in a Cadillac: the most prestigious brands from Europe and America join forces in Formula 1
- This $745,000 boat is the only one powered by a Porsche SUV engine
Lando Norris’ rise in the 2024 F1 season
Lando Norris is increasingly seen as a future champion. McLaren has shown great progress this season, proven by their Constructors’ title, and Norris has managed to stand out, surpassing his teammate Oscar Piastri in some areas. According to Rosberg, McLaren seems to be one of the most competitive cars on the grid, and Norris has made the most of it. He believes Norris is one of the favorites for 2025, and with performances rapidly improving, we can understand why. However, we must not forget that the British driver still has some weaknesses. The mistakes made in 2024, such as in Singapore, where he almost ruined a perfectly controlled race, show that his mental game is not yet fully developed to handle the high pressures of a world championship. Rosberg thinks he still needs to work on this to avoid these small fatal mistakes.
A P1 every McLaren fan will never forget, even if admin forgot to post it yesterday.
Incredible, @LandoNorris! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/vpmYHqZL9y
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 9, 2024
Verstappen under pressure for the next races
Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 in recent years, but the 2024 season has shown that his dominance might not be as unstoppable as in previous seasons. With only two wins since May, including one in the rain, some are starting to wonder if the reigning champion can still win everything. Rosberg, on the other hand, is adamant: in this form, Verstappen won’t win the title against a much more consistent Lando Norris. It seems that the competition in 2025 could be more open than expected. Norris, for his part, has shown that he knows how to handle pressure and consistency. In Abu Dhabi, he expertly controlled the race and helped McLaren secure a Constructors’ title they hadn’t won since 1998. This kind of performance speaks volumes about his ability to fight for the crown. If McLaren continues to improve their F1 car and Norris sharpens his mental game, he could very well be the one with his name at the top of the standings in 2025.
With 912 hp under the hood, this new Audi can crush any modern hypercar while costing 10 times less
Hamilton at Ferrari: a risky bet?
Nico Rosberg also has another interesting opinion to share: he warns his former teammate Lewis Hamilton about his potential move to Ferrari. The German believes the team change could be “painful” for Hamilton. After a long history with Mercedes, marked by countless successes, transitioning to Ferrari, a team trying to find its level, might not be as simple. Rosberg points out that qualifying has been a major issue for Hamilton in 2024, often dominated by his teammate George Russell. If this trend continues at Ferrari, he could find himself in a tricky situation. After all, Ferrari hired him to fight for titles, not to go through a tough season. If Hamilton doesn’t quickly regain his form, his adventure at Ferrari could turn into a nightmare and end his career. Nobody wants that!
This article explores Nico Rosberg’s predictions regarding Lando Norris and his potential for the 2025 World Championship, but also the challenges awaiting Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. The year 2025 could mark a turning point in the careers of these two drivers, each still having obstacles to overcome to reach the top of F1. If Norris keeps his composure and continues to evolve, he could very well be the one to have his name at the top of the standings in 2025.
Image: © McLaren on X
