2nd placed qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Pole position qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren attend the press conference after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 22, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

Max Verstappen or Lando Norris: who will dominate the 2025 season?

3/4 the way into the 2024 Formula 1 season and with seven races remaining this year, racing fans are already looking forward to the 2025 campaign.

The 2025 Formula 1 season will feature multiple title winners, with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris being among the top contenders.

Verstappen is currently leading the 2024 championship campaign with 313 points, standing 29 points ahead of Lando Norris with 254 points.

But who is expected to dominate the 2025 Formula 1 season between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen? Here is a preview of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Can Max Verstappen outrank Lando Norris in the 2025 F1 season?

Max Verstappen is a pure winner and will be looking to dominate over everyone in the 2025 F1 season. If Verstappen doesn’t have great form to dominate the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lando Norris is set to be his biggest competition next year instead of Hamilton.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 14, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 14, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Verstappen finished fifth in Azerbaijan last Sunday but still managed to do enough damage control against Norris. While the reigning champion kicked off the Baku race ten places in front of the McLaren driver Lando Norris managed to cross the line ahead of Verstappen. That was slightly disappointing for the Dutchman. However, the way that Lando Norris managed to cruise past Verstappen indicated the performance difference in their cars.

Despite finishing a position ahead of Verstappen, Norris failed to exploit the huge advantage from his McLaren car against Verstappen’s RB20. This time, the qualifying prevented him from closing the gap between him and Verstappen. However, Formula 1 betting experts predict that Norris will remain among the top contenders for the title heading into the next season and you can place this wager on the best sportsbooks reviewed by Cheeky Punter.

Norris lacks the killer instincts of Verstappen.

While many Formula 1 critics have often said that Lando Norris doesn’t have the killer instincts of Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, that has become clear in recent races. Norris is a good driver, but his performance in Baku last week resembles the performance of drivers like Jean Alesi, an excellent French driver who has always missed out on victories. But like Lando Norris, he was a friendly driver.

Although Verstappen doesn’t have the strongest car in the circuit, he is expected to continue his impressive run in 2025 with Norris as his only competitor. Of course, more teams will be competing for the top spot, so the competition between the two won’t be comparable to the exhilarating duel between Verstappen and Hamilton in 2021.

Verstappen will be driving for the Oracle Red Bull team, while Lando Norris will be with McLaren until the end of 2026. Norris will enter the most crucial part of his Formula 1 career in 2025 and hopes to dominate at various racetracks worldwide. The sheer performance of his car in the last few races has proved Lando’s potential, providing real evidence that he can reach the level of Verstappen’s performance. That boosts McLaren’s hope of dominating the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38 during the Azerbaijan GP at Baku City Circuit