Ex-F1 driver SNUBS Max Verstappen to name his pick for 2025 champion
Juan Pablo Montoya did not hesitate to ignore Max Verstappen as his pick for 2025 champion despite the his impressive performances in 2024.
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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
The 2024 season was extremely interesting due to both the championships being open for multiple teams and drivers towards the end. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris remained the closest competitors for the drivers’ title with the former winning the championship. Despite Verstappen’s dominant performances in a mediocre chassis, Ex-F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya refused to place the Dutchman as the title favorite this season.
Lando Norris came close to matching Max Verstappen‘s points in the standings on a few occasions. However, the Briton lost the chance at securing the lead due to Verstappen’s tough racing. Regardless, Juan Pablo Montoya placed Norris as his pick for the 2025 champion. According to the Colombian, the 25-year-old ‘matured’ towards the end of the previous season. Moreover, McLaren’s ‘upper hand’ over the rivals would further help the Englishman in achieving this feat.
If I had to put all my money on the winner of the 2025 championship, I would put it on Lando. He matured at the end of last season and McLaren have the upper hand over the rest of the teams.
Juan Pablo Montoya told CasinoApps
Montoya further highlighted that Norris had the best opportunity as long as he did not ‘relax’ in terms of performing well. If Oscar Piastri gained the upper hand, then the 25-year-old could be destroyed. The Colombian claimed that Piastri was the ‘dominant’ driver at McLaren who could easily beat his British counterpart. As a result, the Briton could not get too comfortable in the coming season.
Norris has the best opportunity if McLaren continues to make the best car, but he cannot relax this season. If Lando relaxes and Oscar gets better, it can destroy Norris. He is the dominant driver at McLaren, he took a big step last season and if he didn’t, I think Oscar Piastri would have beaten him. If Norris gets comfortable, Piastri will run him over.
Juan Pablo Montoya added
Juan Pablo Montoya reveals the condition for Lando Norris to ‘make mistakes’
Lando Norris was choked during crucial moments throughout the 2024 season which ultimately cost him major points. Juan Pablo Montoya reckoned that Oscar Piastri needed to outscore his teammates just a few times. Norris’ superior race pace could easily be overthrown if Piastri dominated the former during qualifying sessions. Such a condition could cause the 25-year-old to make mistakes during races and ultimately lose the championship.
Oscar Piastri needs to out-qualify Norris a few times to boost his confidence. Norris has better race pace than Piastri, so if he can outperform Norris in qualifying and make the strategy of winning the race in his favour, it could get into Norris’ head and force him to make mistakes.
Juan Pablo Montoya noted
Regardless of the intra-team battle at McLaren, both drivers have continued to maximize points for the team over the race weekends. The 2025 season will witness a similar if not better team performance from Norris and Piastri. Hence, the coming season will be extremely interesting as multiple teams seem keen on fighting for the championship.
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Aditya Pandya
(1498 Articles Published)