Lando Norris shares Oscar Piastri prediction after denying him F1 title

Lando Norris believes McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri “can be a world champion” at some point after denying him a maiden F1 world title in 2025.

Norris clinched his first world championship by ending third on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he ended the marketing campaign simply two factors forward of Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen and 13 away from Piastri.

It marked F1’s closest end in 15 years and noticed Norris grow to be the eleventh Briton to win the drivers’ championship.

Norris was 34 factors down on teammate Piastri with 9 races remaining however a superb run of kind, together with back-to-back victories in Mexico and Brazil, propelled him to the highest of the F1 standings.

The 26-year-old Briton held his nerve in a tense finale at Yas Marina to get his maiden F1 drivers’ crown over the road.

However Norris has backed Piastri, who led the championship for 15 rounds in 2025, to triumph sooner or later.

“I had two different guys who had been fairly freaking quick and definitely made my life powerful this yr,” Norris mentioned.

“Oscar the entire means since spherical one, I knew he was most likely going to be the hardest man to beat after which you possibly can by no means depend out Max, he is Max.

“We actually by no means counted him out and for anybody who may need finished, he proved you mistaken. I am glad we saved ourselves on our toes and we had been prepared for such a factor, however a pleasure to struggle Max, four-time world champion.

“For me to have these fights towards him and revel in these moments, possibly not all the time take pleasure in them however a few of them, however simply to share the observe and struggle towards one other world champion like him and definitely Oscar as effectively, who can be a world champion.

“I actually loved this season due to that. As a lot as they made my life hell lots of the time, these moments I virtually loved essentially the most.”

Norris and Piastri helped McLaren declare the constructors’ world championship title for the second yr operating.

Norris has confirmed he’ll use the #1 on his automotive as he seems to defend his world title in 2026.

The 2026 F1 season begins on 8 March with the Australian Grand Prix.