"There will be a day where you'll be a world champion": When Max Verstappen consoled Lando Norris after beating him in 2024 F1 championship

Following the conclusion of the Las Vegas GP last year, Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive F1 title. Upon securing his title, Verstappen had words of appraisal and consolation for his title competitor, Lando Norris.

Verstappen finished the Las Vegas GP in P5, whereas his rival, Norris came home in P6. This was enough for him to secure the title last year. In the media pen after the race, Verstappen and Norris met, and this was when the duo had a conversation:

"You're too fast! Next year I'll win," Norris told Verstappen. "I told you many times, there will be a day you'll become world champion," Verstappen told Norris in reply. "Let's celebrate in Abu Dhabi," further added Norris.

Here's the video where Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were having a conversation post Las Vegas GP:

Max Verstappen finished the season last year with 437 points, where he picked nine wins, eight pole positions, and 14 podiums. Lando Norris fell short by 63 points, as he wrapped his season up with 374 points, four wins, eight pole positions, and 13 podiums.

However, coming into 2025, the situation has reversed entirely. After 21 races and five sprints, Norris is leading the Championship from Verstappen by 49 points.

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Max Verstappen told Championship chances over by Toto Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated that Max Verstappen's chances of winning his fifth straight F1 title have vanished after Norris' win at the Brazil GP. Addressing the media, Wolff asked about the difference between Verstappen and Norris:

"How many points is Max behind?"

When informed it is 49, the Austrian added:

"Okay, that ship has sailed."

Speaking about it further, he added about the McLaren drivers:

Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren lifts his trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 09, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Source: Getty

"Just let them race, make no contact. The gap that Lando has now is very, very solid, but he can't afford a DNF either because then it swings in the other direction. From a spectator standpoint, you would want to see it going into the last race, equal points, similar points."

Interestingly, Oscar Piastri, another contender for the title, is also in the mix. The Australian driver, who was leading the championship for the majority of the season, is trailing by 24 points. A win by Piastri and a DNF by Norris will open up the championship once again.

Currently, Lando Norris is in P1 with 390 points, followed by Oscar Piastri with 366 points. Max Verstappen is in P3 with 341 points.

Edited by Sabyasachi Biswas