Verstappen’s Epic Comeback Won’t Overshadow Norris’s Championship, Says Steiner
Max Verstappen‘s incredible late-season charge fell just two points short in Abu Dhabi, after he’d fought back from over 100 points down following his home race at Zandvoort. And that was when Oscar Piastri was still leading the championship.
But will anyone remember his heroics a few years from now?
Guenther Steiner doesn’t think so.
“As a champion, you’re always in the books as the second one,” Steiner explained on the Red Flags podcast. “People will remember it, but in five years, a lot of people will have forgotten about the season.”
Lando Norris secured the world title with a smart third-place finish at Yas Marina Circuit – exactly what he needed to get the job done after his impressive late-season surge.
“Obviously the enthusiasts and the petrol heads won’t forget it,” Steiner added, “but Max will be remembered as a champion anyway. It’s not as if this is the only thing he’ll be remembered for.”
The four-time world champion’s near-miss will likely become just another chapter in his already legendary career.
## Norris ‘Not the Driver Who Can Compete With Verstappen’ Despite F1 Title
Being world champion doesn’t necessarily make you the best driver on the grid – at least according to Riccardo Patrese.
The former F1 driver believes there’s only one driver capable of truly challenging Max Verstappen in equal machinery. And it’s not Lando Norris.
That honor goes to Charles Leclerc.
Patrese was particularly impressed by the Monegasque driver’s qualifying performances and the substantial points gap he opened up over Lewis Hamilton in the standings.
Leclerc was Ferrari’s only podium finisher all season, racking up an impressive seven top-three results despite driving a car that was clearly less competitive than Red Bull and McLaren – and sometimes even Mercedes.
He also added another pole position to his growing collection.
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