In an interview with Sky Sports, Martin Brundle reflected on the Brazilian Grand Prix. According to Brundle, Max Verstappen possesses a ‘killer instinct’ that allows him to dominate races, while Lando Norris seems to lack this instinct somewhat. With three races left on the calendar, Brundle believes much has already been revealed.
Max Unstoppable in Brazil
During the rain-soaked Brazilian race, Verstappen once again demonstrated why he dominates the pinnacle of Formula 1. “The conditions perfectly suited his talent,” asserts Brundle. Despite being affected by a red flag during the qualification, the Dutchman remained calm and patient during the race. “He wanted to anticipate a situation with a safety car or red flag and knew exactly what to do. After that, he was off and won with a lead of 19 seconds.” According to Brundle, this is a classic Verstappen performance.
Norris Lacks Experience for Championship Battle
Lando Norris has frequently demonstrated the speed to compete with the best this season, but real victories remain elusive. Out of his seven pole positions, he has only managed to maintain the lead in Singapore. “Lando has delivered great performances, but he still lacks the experience to fight for the championship,” analyzes Brundle. “The pressure and intensity are different when you’re truly battling for the title, and he’s learning a lot from that this year.”
Brundle notes that Norris sometimes seems to lack what Max Verstappen does have: a ‘killer instinct’. “Max is tough as nails and doesn’t shy away from risks, and you see less of that in Lando. But he’s developing and learning a lot this season.”
Focus on 2025
According to Brundle, it’s now crucial that Norris focuses on next season, rather than wasting too much energy on the current championship. “He needs to prepare for the championship battle next year, as the cars will have reached their maximum development and the field will be closer than ever.” Brundle anticipates that 2025 will be a season where every fraction counts – and that could work in Norris’s favor.
