Lando Norris should ‘let’ Max Verstappen pass him if he wants to win F1 title, says Niki Lauda’s son

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McLaren racer Lando Norris can become the 11th British driver to win the Formula 1 title if he sees out his lead atop the championship in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Bristol-born pilot leads Red Bull star Max Verstappen by 12 points atop the standings on 408 and 396 respectively. Norris also holds a 16-point lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri on 392, with 25 up for grabs in the 2025 season-closing Abu Dhabi GP this Sunday.

Norris just has to finish on the podium at Yas Marina to win the F1 drivers’ championship for the first time. It would be the 21st title for a Briton, and see Norris join Mike Hawthorn, John Surtees, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jenson Button holding one drivers’ title.

Graham Hill and Jim Clark won two titles, Jackie Stewart won three, and Lewis Hamilton has to date won seven as the joint-most decorated driver in F1 history. Germany has the second-most F1 titles with 12, of which Michael Schumacher lifted seven, ahead of Brazil with eight.

Lando Norris should ‘copy everything’ Max Verstappen does in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win the 2025 F1 title

Norris has thrown down the gauntlet at the Abu Dhabi GP to stake his case for the title. The 26-year-old led Verstappen in the two opening practice sessions this Friday. Norris topped FP1 at the Abu Dhabi GP, and he led again as Piastri finished FP2 at the Abu Dhabi GP in P11.

READ MORE: All you need to know about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including past winners

But Mathias Lauda, the son of Niki Lauda who won the 1984 F1 title with McLaren, believes Norris should be thinking about letting Verstappen win the Abu Dhabi GP and copying what the Red Bull driver then tries – even if that would mean letting the Dutchman overtake him.

Lauda told OE24: “If I were Lando, I’d make sure I qualified in the top three and then just let Max pull away in the race. If I’m right behind him in second, nothing can go wrong. I’d even let him pass if he’s putting pressure on me. If he pits, I’d come in, too.

“I’d just copy everything and drive for a safe second or third place. That’s the big advantage for Norris, that’s enough.

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“With this tactic, McLaren, as we all know, could have wrapped it up much earlier. Without the stupid mistakes of the last few races, Norris should be able to finish it off comfortably.”

Lando Norris will want to end 2025 with a race win, but he would surely settle for the title

McLaren endured their first-ever double disqualification in Las Vegas two rounds ago, as the stewards found the underfloor skid planks on Norris and Piastri’s cars had worn excessively. Also, McLaren botched their strategy in Qatar last weekend by not pitting under a safety car.

READ MORE: F1 experts predict the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP and if Lando Norris will win the title

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Norris will, no doubt, want to end the 2025 F1 season with his eighth Grand Prix victory this year. He, Verstappen and Piastri are all tied on seven Grand Prix wins through the first 23 of 24 rounds. Norris and Verstappen are also tied on seven pole positions, while Piastri has six.

But the Briton would surely settle for taking the 2025 F1 title with a second or even a third-place finish in the Abu Dhabi GP. Also, Norris could get Piastri’s help in the Abu Dhabi GP to deny Verstappen, if he is not running in the podium places and the Red Bull racer is leading.

CEO Zak Brown has confirmed that McLaren will issue Piastri team orders to help Norris win the 2025 F1 title, should the 26-year-old need the Australian’s support to avoid Verstappen stealing the crown. Piastri cannot take the 2025 title in the Abu Dhabi GP with Norris’ help.