Lando Norris vows ‘nothing changes’ despite Max Verstappen's title charge

17:44, 25 Nov

byOlly Darcy

Lando Norris has stated that "nothing changes" in his "mentality" as the penultimate race weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix approaches.

"I'll go to Qatar to try and win. I still treat it as if I’m not in a championship."

- Lando Norris

The 26-year-old is in the box seat in the title race, sitting 24 points clear of Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri with two race weekends remaining in Qatar at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, despite the double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

As a result, Norris dropped from P2 in Nevanda, while Verstappen's victory kept the Dutchman in with a chance of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks ever seen in Formula 1.

Even with the championship lead, Norris accepts that any minor changes to his current formula could be the difference between winning and losing a World Championship.

Excessive plank wear on Lando Norris' McLaren resulted in him and teammate Oscar Piastri being disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"What's done me so well the last few weekends is by going flat, staying out of trouble, staying out of the chaos behind. It’s almost a safer bet in terms of pushing," Norris started by saying during Thursday's press conference in Vegas.

"I think it's not the right mindset to have. I come here this weekend to try and win. I’ll go to Qatar to try and win. I still treat it as if I’m not in a championship – I’m just here to try and win this weekend, and that’s the mentality I’ll have.

"Of course, when you're on track, you make different decisions depending on risk levels and things like that. But I feel like my judgment of that, generally, is pretty good and pretty accurate. So I’m happy. Nothing changes because of whatever points I’ve got."

Norris bounces back after 2024 capitulation

Norris saw his first title challenge fall short last season while battling Verstappen, faltering in several vital Grands Prix and allowing the Red Bull driver to seal a fourth consecutive world title.

However, in 2025, many more composed and imperious drives under pressure have seen the Brit take his chances and give himself every opportunity to take a maiden world title.

There was also the belief from Verstappen himself regarding Norris' chance to win a title in his career, with the Dutchman backing up his previous comments to reaffirm his faith in the 26-year-old.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.