Norris gets 'he'll bring it home' backing from critic turned supporter

19:08, 19 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris currently has a firm grip on what would be his maiden F1 title, and Guenther Steiner has backed the Briton to "bring it home."

"First I bet on Oscar Piastri, then, when he fell back, on Max Verstappen, then he fell back. If I bet on Lando Norris now, then maybe he will fall behind."

- Guenther Steiner.

Photo: RacePictures.

Guenther Steiner, former Haas F1 boss, threw his luck in with Oscar Piastri to take the 2025 Drivers' crown earlier on in the year. However, the Australian's momentum dwindled so, that he's been unable to make a front row start, or achieve a podium finish in the last five Grands Prix, which has resulted in him losing the lead in the Standings to teammate Norris.

Then, with Max Verstappen cutting down the McLaren drivers' lead over him in a matter of five races, the Italian American was quick to change his mind and support the Dutch driver's bid, which became thwarted by Norris' dominant wins in Mexico and Brazil.

Now he thinks the British McLaren driver, whom he criticised earlier on in the campaign, is the favourite to take home the title. Speaking to RTL Steiner assessed the current state of the Drivers' championship. "I think if I bet on someone, it's not good for them," he said.

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Photo: Race Pictures

"First I bet on Oscar Piastri, then, when he fell back, on Max Verstappen, then he fell back. If I bet on Lando Norris now, then maybe he will fall behind.

"But what is certain is that it has not yet been decided. I think Vegas, for example, it could be that Max catches up enormously and becomes a candidate again. Or [catches up] to one of the top candidates [at least]."

Steiner: Norris "can bring it home"

Steiner thinks that Norris has the mettle to bring the championship home. However., it may prove difficult, since Las Vegas has not been a circuit the papaya outfit has excelled at.

"If Lando does a good race, a solid race, then I think he can bring it home. But Las Vegas will certainly be interesting, because McLaren in Las Vegas was never really good and that's why everyone expects a little bit [of a dip].

"You don't really know why [they've not perfomed there], otherwise they would have changed it.

"But for now. It looks like Lando Norris is the favourite at the moment because the last few races have been strong, what he showed there," Steiner concluded.

Verstappen can be effectively eliminated from the title race in Vegas

Lando Norris leads the championship by 24 points over teammate Oscar Piastri and 49 over Max Verstappen with three races and a sprint remaining. In Las Vegas, Norris can eliminate Verstappen from title contention by gaining at least nine more points than him. Find all the title permutations here.

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.