Ex-F1 driver makes his feelings known on Lando Norris standing up to Max Verstappen ‘more often’

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert claimed that McLaren driver Lando Norris needed to stand up "more often" to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. The British driver was unable to sustain the pressure on the Dutch driver throughout his failed title bid in the 2024 season, and eventually finished runner-up to the 27-year-old.

The four-time F1 world champion was able to get the upper hand on the 25-year-old during their wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the season and never came out as second.

While speaking with Coin Poker, Herbert believed that the sport might see a "scrappy" title fight next year given the close competition amongst the top four teams on the grid. He said:

“Yes, Norris needs to stand up to Verstappen more often. 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 1, some sharp elbows, allied to common sense. Max loads pressure on everyone.”

Max Verstappen was eventually able to neutralize the title hopes of Norris and finished the year in P1 with a gap of 63 points. However, there were doubts over his dominance in the sport with Red Bull losing their hold over the Constructor's Championship and winning just two out of the final 14 races.

Former F1 driver comments on Max Verstappen's future with Red Bull

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya stated that he could envision Max Verstappen leaving the Red Bull ship to jump to Aston Martin in 2026 due to engine programme worries at the Milton-Keynes.

Speaking with LuckyBlock, the Columbian spoke about the Dutch driver's likely destination if he decided to end his contract early and said:

“If I was Max, I would be pretty concerned about the engine programme for 2026. People think he might go to Mercedes but for me there’s a better chance he would end up at Aston Martin.

"You have [Adrian] Newey and Honda, which was the combination that’s been at Red Bull. And Lawrence doesn’t take ’No’ for an answer. If Lawrence wants you he’ll do whatever it takes to get you. He has enough to offer him for Max to think, ‘That’s awesome.’”

Max Verstappen is under contract with the Red Bull F1 team until the end of the 2028 season and saw off several approaches made for him by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the 2024 season.