F1 2025 Predictions: Villeneuve Picks Norris Over Verstappen for……read more
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has surprised fans and pundits alike by excluding Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing from his list of logical title contenders for the 2025 season. Instead, Villeneuve has pointed to McLaren’s Lando Norris as the most realistic candidate for championship success. This unexpected perspective stems from Red Bull’s struggles during the 2024 season, which saw the team facing significant challenges both on and off the track.
The year began on a strong note for Red Bull, with Verstappen dominating the initial races and continuing the momentum from his successful 2023 campaign. However, internal political conflicts within the team disrupted their rhythm. Reports emerged of a rift between team principal Christian Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, with Verstappen’s family reportedly siding with Marko. These tensions seemed to weigh heavily on the team’s overall stability.
The turning point of the season came during the Miami Grand Prix, where McLaren introduced a crucial upgrade to their car. From that moment, Red Bull’s performance began to falter, with their car progressively losing pace. By the latter stages of the season, Red Bull was no longer the dominant force, trailing behind McLaren and Ferrari in terms of outright speed. Despite this, Verstappen showcased his resilience and skill by managing to secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ title. However, McLaren, led by Norris, was closing the gap rapidly, highlighting Red Bull’s vulnerabilities.
Villeneuve, in an interview with Action Network, highlighted Red Bull’s struggles and praised Norris as the most logical choice for the 2025 title. He stated, “With the way the season ended, I would give the advantage just a little bit to Lando (Norris) and McLaren. But the problem with that is that there is an internal battle between the drivers. McLaren haven’t handled that well, and they’re not going to handle it well, so the drivers will take points from each other. So even if they should be champions, they might not be.”
The internal battle Villeneuve referred to is the rivalry between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While both have demonstrated impressive performances, their competition could potentially hinder McLaren’s chances of maximizing points. Villeneuve believes this dynamic could open the door for other teams and drivers to capitalize on McLaren’s internal struggles.
Villeneuve also weighed in on Ferrari’s prospects, particularly with the addition of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to the team. Hamilton joined Ferrari for the 2024 season, and his performances toward the end of the year showed promise. Villeneuve remarked, “Lewis could have a chance. He finished well last year. It will be interesting to see the battle between Lewis and Charles Leclerc. Ferrari is pushing Lewis forward a lot at the moment. Either he gets pushed forward and does a great job. Or it doesn’t work out and then that motivates Leclerc. It’s basically a win-win scenario for Ferrari.”
According to Villeneuve, Ferrari’s driver lineup could be a major asset in their bid for success. Hamilton’s experience and leadership might elevate the team’s performance, while Leclerc’s motivation to outshine his teammate could drive him to new heights. This dynamic, Villeneuve suggested, could make Ferrari a strong contender for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
In contrast, Villeneuve expressed doubts about Red Bull’s ability to bounce back in 2025. While Verstappen’s brilliance is unquestionable, the Canadian pointed out that Red Bull’s second driver, Liam Lawson, remains an unproven quantity. This lack of depth could be a disadvantage for the Austrian team, particularly in the constructors’ championship battle. Villeneuve stated, “It will be between McLaren and Ferrari for the constructors’ title. The McLaren drivers will not cost the team any points there, only each other. But who even thinks about the constructors? Everyone remembers that Max Verstappen was the champion this year. So in fact, Red Bull was the winner. That’s how everyone sees it.”
Despite Verstappen’s remarkable achievement of securing his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, Red Bull’s late-season slump raises questions about their ability to maintain their dominance. The emergence of McLaren and Ferrari as genuine contenders has created a more competitive landscape for 2025. Villeneuve’s comments suggest that the battle for supremacy will likely revolve around these two teams, with Norris and Hamilton positioned as key players.
As Formula 1 heads into the new season, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can regain their footing or if McLaren and Ferrari will capitalize on their recent momentum. For now, Villeneuve’s endorsement of Lando Norris as the logical title contender signals a potential shift in the sport’
s power dynamics.
