Arnoux: Norris faces greater pressure than Verstappen.

      "Max will do everything to win"

      Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux contends that Max Verstappen is still a formidable contender in the 2025 championship battle, maintaining that the Dutch driver approaches the Qatar-Abu Dhabi finale with "nothing to lose," while Lando Norris bears the burden of expectations. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arnoux mentioned that only Verstappen is capable of overcoming a 24-point gap with two races and a sprint still to go. "If anyone can do it, it’s him," Arnoux stated.

      "In Formula 1, the margin is just a few tenths, and that's where he excels. He displays remarkable consistency and the ability to enhance his performance throughout the weekend, even if things start poorly. In wet conditions, he’s the only one who can achieve victory from the last position," he noted.

      Arnoux emphasized that talent alone might not suffice, but Verstappen also has favorable timing. "Max possesses something that should not be overlooked—he's incredibly fortunate. In a scenario like his, possessing a bit of luck is vital," he remarked.

      According to Arnoux, the pressure is squarely on Norris. "Norris will face more pressure than Verstappen," he asserted. "Max will do everything possible to win since he has nothing to lose. Norris needs to ensure he doesn’t make any mistakes—minimizing errors will be crucial for him."

      He pointed out that Verstappen's collaboration with Red Bull remains a key element. "After Christian Horner left and some internal issues were resolved, the team returned to effective functioning. You can sense Verstappen's increased confidence and calmness. He has the experience; unlike Norris and Piastri, he has previously secured titles with his team," said the 77-year-old Frenchman.

      Arnoux, however, believes McLaren was not wrong to allow its drivers to race without restrictions. "If they had approached it differently, they would have compromised a driver's performance from the beginning. In F1, you can't expect your teammate to assist you—it's unnatural."

      Regarding Oscar Piastri, amid claims that McLaren hindered the former championship leader’s progress, Arnoux suggests that the Australian has merely lost his momentum. "He’s lacking confidence. Whether it’s due to personal issues or team dynamics, he has demonstrated that he can be very strong but also quite vulnerable—and that vulnerability has surfaced at an inopportune time," he explained. "Norris has shown to be more resilient, reacting better in tough situations."