Everyone has noticed his strong response and mental growth after the bitter retirement at Zandvoort, which had put him significantly out of the championship lead, but now the Englishman faces another crucial test: the Verstappen exam.

The four-time world champion is already well known as one of the best drivers at handling pressure—indeed, it often seems to bring out his driving qualities even more—unlike Norris, who has frequently struggled in this regard over the past few years, especially last season.

The clearest proof of this came at last year’s Brazilian GP, when Verstappen managed to win the race in a downpour despite starting from seventeenth, while the Englishman finished well behind him despite starting from pole. It was a heavy blow that, by his own admission, put his self-confidence to the test.

Even this year, Norris showed glimpses of past struggles in the first part of the season when it came to consistency and keeping his nerves under control—at least until the summer break, after which he made a significant step forward, reclaiming the championship lead he had briefly held at the start of the season in Australia.

At McLaren, it’s as if the roles have reversed: Piastri, praised all season as an ice-cold operator capable of making the most of every opportunity, has completely faltered in the last few races, while Norris has capitalized on every chance to secure big wins and podiums.

The Briton came tantalizingly close to virtually—though not yet mathematically—securing the first championship of his career in Las Vegas, but the dream was shattered by less than a millimeter—enough for the stewards to hand a double disqualification to the two Papaya drivers, astonishingly keeping Verstappen in the hunt.

And this is exactly where the Qatar weekend will provide an answer to a crucial question: has Norris truly grown, shaking off the specter of Verstappen, or was it simply his large points advantage that made him less prone to mistakes and inconsistent performances?

Knowing you can afford a setback is undoubtedly a huge psychological advantage, but knowing you no longer have any margin for error is a completely different matter—especially against a predator like Verstappen.

This is exactly where Norris will have to prove he’s grown. If he can hold firm and perform consistently until the end of the season—even finishing every race in second—he will have shown that he is truly world-champion material. But if he falters again, it will mean there’s still work to be done before celebrating his first career title.