Lando Norris will be the next Formula 1 world champion. That’s not a statement, the final has barely finished, but rather an assertion. Norris’s. There is calculation behind it, the simplest of all calculations: the Englishman added his ability to the quality of his team. It provided him with the best racing car of the second half of the season. That wasn’t enough to catch Max Verstappen in the Red Bull on the way to his fourth title. But the half-time balance, crowned by the victory in the final last Sunday in Abu Dhabi and the win of the constructors’ championship, gives Norris’ forecast a certain degree of probability. Prospects are very good, especially because he seems to be no Verstappen, no Hamilton, no Schumacher. These champions hardly made any mistakes in their superior cars; Norris in his sixth year in Formula 1 (128 Grand Prix) and his racing team too many to be a threat to the Dutchman. But the Norris/McLaren carpool learned while driving. In the final, under pressure from Ferrari in the fight for the team world championship, she raced brilliantly to triumph. Flawless.Because there will be comparatively little change to the construction regulations for the racing cars next season before the major rule reform in 2026, McLaren’s prospects of staying at the top are very good. Especially since becoming the industry leader within one season will motivate everyone in the racing team to want to achieve even more. Ferrari, 14 points behind in second place in the team rankings, sees itself on a similar path. Mercedes also showed leadership qualities here and there. But the pursuers are facing delicate upheavals. Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari alone does not guarantee acceleration. It initially causes unrest because Charles Leclerc is unlikely to voluntarily give up his position as a leading figure. Because Verstappen couldn’t be bought in, Mercedes relied on a novice, the Italian Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull learned the hard way how important it is to have two reliable drivers who both know how to use the car’s potential. If Sergio Perez (152 points) had done half as well in the cockpit as Verstappen (437), then the Brause group would have rushed into the Christmas holiday with two titles.More on the topicWith a new man at Verstappen’s side, things can only get better. But “well established” for 2025, with two drivers of stature, there is only one team among the best: McLaren. Oscar Piastri’s aggressiveness may develop into a disruptive factor. So far, however, she has mainly helped Lando Norris. That’s where the danger lies – for everyone else. And Formula 1’s chance of an exciting battle between the drivers for the 2025 title from the first to the last race. Provided that the best driver is not in the best car.
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