Jacques Villeneuve spotted Max Verstappen doing something ‘super important’ in Japan that Lando Norris must copy

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The battle that started last season between Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and McLaren racer Lando Norris looks set to continue throughout 2025.

Max Verstappen built up a significant lead last season before Red Bull’s car started to fall behind the likes of McLaren and Ferrari.

Ferrari have failed to keep up that momentum this year, but McLaren currently lead the way in both championships with Lando Norris sitting 13 points ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

However, Verstappen discovered the first chink in McLaren’s armour at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Red Bull made strides forward over the weekend, before Verstappen delivered the best qualifying lap of the season and then led from start to finish during Sunday’s race.

McLaren failed to take advantage of having two cars within close proximity of Verstappen with their strategy, and neither driver is being backed to win the drivers’ championship over the other, meaning they’ll constantly take points off each other this season.

That will play into Verstappen’s hands, and Jacques Villeneuve thinks the Dutchman is doing something behind the scenes at Red Bull that Norris needs to start copying.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Jacques Villeneuve hails Max Verstappen for ‘super important’ Japanese Grand Prix contribution

Villeneuve was speaking to David Croft on Sky Sports F1 (6/4 7:23 am) during Sunday’s race about the battle at the front of the pack.

The difficulties of overtaking in Japan were thwarting both McLarens, and Croft said: “Lando Norris, 1.2 seconds behind [Verstappen], you just get the feeling here, Max Verstappen has got under control.

“No one’s headed Max Verstappen, no one’s beaten Max Verstappen here since 2019 on a track that you say is all about the drivers, Jacques Villeneuve, and again that’s showing today.”

Villeneuve continued from Croft’s point and explained: “And also getting the car to respond the way you want [it to], that’s super important.

“You see which driver manages to work with his team. Not just sit down and ask for data to tell them how to drive, but actually gets involved, and Max does it.

“What I found surprising is how Norris, even with a tow on a stretch, doesn’t gain any time, doesn’t get any closer.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Jacques Villeneuve criticises Lando Norris strategy after Max Verstappen’s Japanese GP victory

While it’s unlikely that Norris isn’t having any sort of say over his car’s set-up, Verstappen is well known for going into unbelievable detail when it comes to breaking down the performance of his car.

Verstappen has spent more time at Red Bull’s factory this year, with the RB21 proving to be incredibly tricky to drive.

Villeneuve pinpoints McLaren’s poor strategy as one of the reasons why they couldn’t take full advantage of having two cars sitting in Verstappen’s mirrors during the race.

McLaren struggled with their strategy at times last year, but this was put down to inexperience in challenging for victories, given their lack of success over recent years.

It’s something that Andrea Stella and Zak Brown need to address immediately, as they can’t afford to let Verstappen establish a lead in the championship.

As he proved last year, once he gets out in front, he’s incredibly difficult to stop.