Lando Norris ‘accepts change’ as McLaren star seeks to dethrone Max Verstappen

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

Lando Norris is targeting a first F1 title in 2025 (Image: Getty)

According to steward Johnny Herbert, has ‘accepted’ that he needs to change his style and add an intimidation factor if he is to get revenge on and claim the 2025 Drivers’ Championship title.

A momentum swing at the Brazilian Grand Prix ultimately cost Norris the chance to take his first F1 title fight right down to the wire, but looking back on the year, the 25-year-old will rue a number of missed chances.

Conceding race wins to Verstappen in Montreal and Barcelona will haunt the Brit, and he also had strong chances to win in Austria, Silverstone, Budapest and Monza. Too many times, it was the Dutchman who was willing to take the fight to the extreme, getting physical with Norris on a number of occasions to cost his rival crucial points.

According to Herbert, the time has come to change tactics. “Yes, Lando is missing that intimidation factor at the moment,” he told . “He has been very open that maybe he hasn’t brought his A-game this year. Hearing from what I am hearing, he has accepted that this is what he now has to do, to change.

“This is a really good moment where many drivers are thinking the same as Max has done. It is going to be massively interesting to see who comes out on the top next year. It might well be scrappy next year, but that’s what you want in Formula One, some sharp elbows, allied to common sense. Max loads pressure on everyone.”

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F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

Oscar Piastri will be a threat to his team-mate in 2025 (Image: Getty)

Norris’ win in Abu Dhabi means that the newly-crowned constructor champions head into the 2025 campaign as slight favourites over . However, even if this is the case, the Brit will have to be wary of the threat team-mate Oscar Piastri will pose.

“He has the right attitude,” Herbert continued, discussing Piastri’s chances in 2025. “It is about him, and he doesn’t care about anyone else. That is what he has to take into a fresh season in which will start as favourites.

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“He has Mark Webber as his manager. Oscar knows what he needs to do. If he comes out of the blocks dominating, then he will be in a very good place, but I don’t think Lando is going to allow that. Lando has been magnificent in his qualifying performances and has still raced brilliantly.

“The competition will push the pair of them. I like Oscar’s strong mindset. The next big head-to-head next season is going to be between Oscar and Lando. will dominate ahead of , then and .”

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