Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

'Norris can't rest on his laurels, Verstappen's coming for the title again'

21:02, 08 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Johnny Herbert believes Lando Norris’s F1 world title will fuel Max Verstappen’s motivation to reclaim his crown.

"There’s not going to be any resting on your laurels for Lando. Max will be saying enjoy it while you can, because he’s coming again."

- Johnny Herbert

After winning every world title from 2021 to 2024, Verstappen just missed out on a fifth title in a row in 2025, coming close to equalling Michael Schumacher's record.

In the end, the Dutchman finished two points behind Lando Norris in the standings after trailing the championship leader by 104 points earlier in the season.

Former F1 driver and steward Herbert thinks this will only make Verstappen more eager to win the title once again.

Speaking to a betting site, he explained: "Max [Verstappen] will be disappointed that he didn't win it but sort of happy that Lando [Norris] did achieve it because of the friendship that they do have.

'Verstappen is coming again for the title,' Herbert says - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"But Max will be very much thinking, 'I'm going to make sure I get that world championship back.'

"So, there’s not going to be any resting on your laurels for Lando. Max will be saying enjoy it while you can, because he’s coming again," he concluded.

'Norris is up there with the best Formula 1 world champions'

According to Herbert, Norris is now among the best world champions in Formula 1's long history.

The Briton sees areas where the McLaren driver still needs to improve, but thinks that Norris still has a lot of potential to unlock as well. Find out more here!

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