Lando Norris Left ‘Embarrassed’ as Jos Verstappen Pressures McLaren After Las Vegas Misjudgment
Lando Norris has admitted that his dramatic Turn 1 error at the Las Vegas Grand Prix left him feeling “pretty embarrassed,” as pressure mounts on McLaren from all directions—particularly from Jos Verstappen, who believes the team must take firmer action to prevent similar mistakes as the title fight reaches its boiling point.
Norris started the Vegas race in prime position, lining up alongside Max Verstappen on the front row. Determined not to let the reigning champion beat him into Turn 1, Norris launched off the line with total commitment. For a moment, it looked like the McLaren star had pulled off the perfect getaway. He surged past Verstappen on the run into the braking zone, appearing to seize control of the race.
But that split-second optimism quickly dissolved. Norris pushed too hard on cold brakes, misjudged the corner entry, and carried far too much speed into Turn 1. The McLaren ran wide and straight off the track, allowing both Verstappen and George Russell to dive ahead while Norris scrambled back onto the circuit in third place.
It was a costly moment—one that Norris has taken full responsibility for. Speaking honestly after the race, the 25-year-old admitted he had only himself to blame.
“Pretty embarrassing,” he told Sky Sports with a frustrated laugh. “I need to learn from Turn 1 and try to do a better job than I have been doing recently.”
Norris explained that aggression is necessary at the start, especially when fighting Verstappen, but in Las Vegas he simply overstepped the limit.
“You’ve got to be punchy into Turn 1,” he said. “I was just a bit too punchy, and that cost me. That’s racing sometimes.”
Pressure Intensifies as Jos Verstappen Steps In
The fallout from the incident did not stop with Norris’ self-reflection. Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, has reportedly urged McLaren to address the recurring pattern in Norris’ race starts. According to figures close to the paddock, Jos believes such mistakes could dramatically shape the championship outcome—and insists McLaren must tighten operational discipline if they want to keep their title hopes alive.
While Norris’ Turn 1 misjudgment didn’t ultimately decide the race—his later car problems and eventual disqualification ensured a disastrous result regardless—it highlighted an emerging weakness that could prove fatal in the final stretch of the season.
A Championship Fight on a Knife-Edge
The Las Vegas Grand Prix reshuffled the title picture entirely. With McLaren suffering a devastating double disqualification, the championship gap has narrowed to razor-thin margins. Norris now sits on 390 points, with Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen tied behind him on 366 each. With two race weekends left—including a sprint in Qatar offering eight extra points—the fight has never been closer.
With the title scenario so tight, every point matters, and every mistake is magnified. Norris’s Turn 1 error, though small in isolation, has symbolic weight: it shows how fragile McLaren’s lead has become.
On paper, the equation seems simple. If Norris finishes second in both remaining main races, no matter what Verstappen does, he will seal the championship. But the chaos of the Las Vegas start demonstrated that Formula 1 rarely obeys simple mathematics.
Verstappen Eyes History
Max Verstappen, meanwhile, is chasing his own monumental milestone. If he manages to overhaul Norris and claim the 2025 championship, he will equal Michael Schumacher’s legendary record of five consecutive drivers’ titles. That possibility has lit a fire beneath the Dutchman, who has looked increasingly fierce in recent races despite Red Bull’s fluctuating form.
With two races to go, Verstappen knows that every opportunity Norris gives him must be seized—and opportunities are beginning to appear more frequently.
An Unforgettable Season Finale Ahead
Whether you’re cheering for McLaren’s youthful charge or Verstappen’s ruthless hunt for history, one thing is undeniable: the 2025 F1 season is heading toward an explosive finish. Norris’ Vegas mistake, his frank admission, and the Verstappen camp’s growing pressure have added a dramatic layer to a title battle already brimming with tension.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi now stand as the final battlegrounds. One misjudged braking point, one perfectly timed overtake, or one strategic masterstroke could crown the next world champion.
And after the chaos of Las Vegas, the sport is bracing for a finale that promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
