BERNIE ECCLESTONE SLAMS OVER-CONFIDENT LANDO NORRIS AS HE BACKS MAX VERSTAPPEN FOR 2025 TITLE
Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has backed Max Verstappen for the 2025 drivers' championship as he argued Lando Norris is "over-confident, too cocky".
The drivers' championship title comes down to what is sure to be a tense season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Heading into the race, Norris leads the standings with 12 points over Verstappen in second. Norris's McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri is also still in the fight and currently sits four points behind Verstappen.
When discussing the championship, Ecclestone argued that Verstappen is the best driver he has known, while adding that Norris sometimes fails to deliver in high-pressure situations.
"I still believe Max will do it," he told Daily Mail Sport. "He deserves it. I used to say Alain Prost was the best driver of all time, doing it on his own without a radio to the pit wall telling him what to do, but I think Max is the best I have known. He stands alone.
"Lando is fine, a really good driver, but he is over-confident, too cocky, believing his own publicity, but he gets nervous at crunch moments and can’t quite deliver the way Max can when the pressure is on.
"I said from the start of the season that Max would do it in the end, and I still believe that is the case."
While McLaren has maintained a 'may the best man win' approach to managing Piastri and Norris throughout the year, Ecclestone believes the Woking outfit has been more supportive of Norris.
"McLaren have been very helpful to Lando over Oscar, supporting him over the other guy, such as changing them around in Monza after Lando had a bad pitstop, and that way of working may yet be good for them, I don’t know," he added.
"It’s not what I would have done. A bad pitstop is part of racing. You have to accept it, not engineer it.
"But you can never bet against Max. He is something special. He is one-off, and a super-nice guy, and I hope he gets the job done. He has nothing to lose, so that is also an advantage, too."
Photos from Abu Dhabi GP - Thursday
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 04: A detailed view of the Driver World Champion's trophy during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 04, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Sam Bagna
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team
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Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Benson Boone
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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2025-12-04T14:42:52Z