After the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Nico Rosberg declared Lando Norris the favorite to win next year’s Drivers’ Championship. However, one hurdle could prevent Norris from getting the job done — the fear of repeating past mistakes.
Rosberg pointed this out in the Sky Sports F1 podcast earlier this week. “He has some inner demons in his mind, which result in one or another mistake or so,” the German said.
For context, Rosberg described how Norris can make mistakes even when he has everything under his control. For instance, at the 2024 Singapore GP, which he dominated, Norris almost crashed twice despite being more than 20 seconds ahead of second-placed Max Verstappen.
Rosberg believes that Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri is stronger in this area, which allows him to be more consistent. But still, this won’t be that big of a problem for Norris, Rosberg believes. Between Norris and Piastri, he would still pick the Briton if the two go toe-to-toe for the title in 2025. The reason? the 25-year-old’s “raw speed”.
“For the first time, I have confidence in saying I have what it takes” The grid ain’t ready for a confident Lando Norris pic.twitter.com/PdWBBV1eKv.
— ag (@lnsc304) December 8, 2024
The former Mercedes driver opined that Norris’ speed was at the level of someone like Verstappen, a proven legend with four world titles to his name. Norris is well aware of where he fell short and will work on improving his habit of being error-prone. After the race in Abu Dhabi, which he won, the Bristol-born even made a bold declaration.
“Next year is my year“: Norris
Norris’ P1 finish in Abu Dhabi helped McLaren win its first Constructors’ title since 1998. But he had other things in mind as soon as he crossed the chequered flag. In 2025, he wants to win both the Drivers’ and the Constructors’.
The Briton feels confident for two key reasons. Firstly, his experience battling Verstappen this year, and secondly, the fact that McLaren emerged as arguably the strongest team in the second half of the 2024 season.
Rosberg also considers Norris the favorite for next year’s championship for these same reasons. He went as far as to claim after the Abu Dhabi GP last weekend that “second is not acceptable next year” for Norris.
Other contenders that may emerge are the two Ferrari drivers — Charles Leclerc and his future teammate Lewis Hamilton. With Ferrari finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship this season, they will carry over their momentum into next year and will hope to put up a stronger fight against McLaren.
