StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

AS FAST AS ANYONE: CARLOS SAINZ ANALYZES LANDO NORRIS'S TITLE-WINNING SPEED

Carlos Sainz believes Lando Norris has the speed and form to win the F1 title in Abu Dhabi, but insists a podium finish is "never easy." Norris leads by 12 points.

As Fast As Anyone: Carlos Sainz Analyzes Lando Norris's Title-Winning Speed
Sainz: Norris Can Win Title, But "Perfect Weekend" Is Needed

Carlos Sainz thinks Lando Norris has a shot at his first world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he admits it won't be a cakewalk, even in a McLaren.

"I wish them the best," Sainz said, hinting that Norris has what it takes.

Norris is leading the championship race as he goes into Sunday's final race.

He's got a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, the current World Champion, and Oscar Piastri is close behind, just four points further back.

Norris just needs to finish in the top three to win the title, no matter where Verstappen and Piastri end up.

But it's not as simple as it sounds.

Since F1 came back from summer break, Norris has finished on the podium five times, but he also had one retirement, one disqualification, and two races where he scored points but didn't get on the podium.

Sainz knows Norris has been doing well lately, but he's not counting anything out.

When asked about the title race in Abu Dhabi, Sainz told the media, I'm interested, for sure, and I'll be watching closely. I get along great with Lando, and I want him to do well. I also respect Max and Oscar and wish them the best.

I think Abu Dhabi is good for Lando. It's good for him that the finale is in Abu Dhabi. When I was his teammate, it was one of his best tracks. He won last year in front of me, which still stings a bit.

He was dominant in that race, and I know it's a good track for him and for McLaren, so he has that going for him.

But still, having to finish on the podium is never easy, even in a McLaren.

He needs to have a perfect weekend, and I think he can do it, especially with how well he's been handling pressure lately.

Sainz was Norris's first teammate in Formula 1 when Norris, now 26, started with McLaren in 2019.

They were teammates for two seasons before Sainz moved to Ferrari. They bonded over racing and golf and were even nicknamed 'Carlando' on social media.

Sainz said Norris was always fast but is now a more complete driver.

What I saw right away from Lando was his amazing ability to drive the car at the limit and put together great qualifying laps, Sainz stated.

I've been teammates with Charles [Leclerc], with Max, and with Lando—with all the top guys, I think.

Lando has all the speed he needs. In fact, he's as quick as anyone, maybe even quicker on his good days.

What he's really improved is his consistency throughout the year. He's strong on tracks that he wasn't as strong on in his first couple of years. Now, when I watch him drive, he's strong everywhere. He's learned to be quick in any situation, on any track, with more experience.

He's definitely a more all-around driver now than he was in his first few years, but I don't think he's any faster.

When you get to Formula 1, you're already as fast as you can be. After that, it's about learning how to be quick in every type of corner or on every type of track.

ANDREA STELLA : BEATING MAX VERSTAPPEN MAKES LANDO NORRIS’ F1 TITLE WIN MORE SPECIAL

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella believes Lando Norris' 2025 F1 title win is elevated because he defeated Max Verstappen, calling it a "prestigious" achievement.

top-news
Stella Praises Norris for Edging Out Four-Time Champion.

McLaren's Andrea Stella believes that beating Max Verstappen and Red Bull made Lando Norris’ 2025 Formula 1 championship win even more special.

Even though Verstappen won the race in Abu Dhabi, it wasn't enough to keep his championship title. Norris finished in third place, which was just enough to win his first Drivers’ title.

For most of the season, it looked like a battle between the McLaren drivers. Norris and Oscar Piastri had won 12 races between them in the first 15 races.

However, Red Bull had a big turnaround, and Verstappen, who was 104 points behind Piastri with nine races to go, got back into the fight.

But while Verstappen won the last three races, Norris and McLaren did just enough to win the title by only two points.

Stella, who has been in the sport since 2000, said that Norris won at a time when the competition is tougher than ever.

“Thinking back, the season really reminded me of 2003, which also came down to the last race,” Stella told the media. “There were some challenges near the end, and the whole season was close and tense. Michael Schumacher ended up winning that year.

“Then we had 2007, which again went to the last race with three drivers in contention.

“I kept thinking about these past situations during the entire weekend.

“The drivers in Formula 1 today are incredibly talented, which makes Lando’s success this season even more impressive.

“Drivers now have telemetry data from the time they start racing go-karts, and they receive so much support. They’re just naturally fast.

“We sometimes see that established drivers struggle to keep up with the younger generation.”

Norris Ends Verstappen’s Time as World Champion

Stella stated that beating Verstappen and stopping him from equaling Schumacher’s record of five titles in a row makes Norris’ win even greater.

“It’s a really big accomplishment,” he said.

“Beating Max Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, in a team that knows what it's doing, is a real achievement.

“It’s a really impressive, high-quality, and prestigious win.

“And it’s amazing that Oscar was also so close to winning. I think that shows how much of a team effort this was.”

TITLE WAIT CONTINUES: ZAK BROWN BACKS OSCAR PIASTRI FOR 2026 AFTER 410-POINT FINISH

Oscar Piastri's F1 title bid crumbled after leading 71% of the season, ultimately finishing 3rd and 13 points behind Lando Norris due to mid-season errors and team orders.

top-news
How Piastri Lost the F1 Title Despite Leading for 189 Days.

In 2025, Oscar Piastri appeared set to win the F1 drivers’ championship, leading for 71% of the season. Yet, he ended up in third place, with his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, grabbing the title.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull squeezed between the McLaren drivers in the standings. Norris edged out Verstappen by just two points, preventing the Dutchman from securing a fifth straight title. Piastri ended the year 13 points behind his teammate, with 423, 421, and 410 points, respectively.

Norris started the season strong, winning the Australian Grand Prix and ending Verstappen's 1,029-day reign at the top. Still, Piastri took over the lead after winning in Saudi Arabia, the fifth race of the 24-race season.

Piastri held the lead for 189 days until Norris won in Mexico City (race 20) and regained it for the final 42 days. Norris's title win made him the 11th British champion in F1 history, while Australia's wait for a champion since 1980 continues.

Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, believes Piastri can contend for the 2026 title after his near-miss in 2025.

Brown thinks Piastri could have won the 2025 title, but some mid-season difficulties threw him off course. Brown still thinks Piastri should be happy with his results.

Brown feels that if Piastri can shore up a few areas, he can compete for the title in 2026. The 2026 regulations could shake up the grid, but Brown is confident that Piastri will eventually win a title.

Brown mentioned on Radio X that Oscar did great in the off-season. He thinks the two drivers pushed each other to improve, which also helped the team.

He noted that leading early in the championship is different from chasing, especially in a long season. Piastri faced some mid-season challenges but bounced back strongly.

Brown is looking forward to next year because he believes Piastri will return to Australia motivated. He sees Piastri as tough and focused, needing only a few improvements. He suggests keeping an eye on Piastri next year.

Brown added that Piastri is disappointed but shouldn't be with the overall season. He should be proud of his seven wins. He pointed out that it was only Piastri's third full season, compared to Lando's seventh, adding that Piastri is going to be a world champion, maybe even next year.

Piastri’s title hopes took a hit after McLaren's team orders at Monza.

Piastri wrapped up the 2025 season with seven of his nine career wins, 16 of his 26 podiums, and all six of his pole positions. Only Verstappen (8) had more wins, and he and Norris had more poles (8 and 7) during the season.

Norris had the most podiums in 2025 with 18, ahead of Piastri (16) and Verstappen (15). Piastri lost ground between Baku (race 17) and Las Vegas (race 22), a slide that began with the race in Italy at Monza (race 16).

McLaren instructed Piastri to give second place back to Norris during the Italian Grand Prix. Piastri had overtaken Norris, who was told he would stay ahead if he let Piastri pit first. However, Norris had a slower pit stop. Piastri initially disagreed but complied.

Piastri then crashed in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after crashing in qualifying and jumping the race start. Piastri was also unhappy with Norris after they made contact during the Singapore Grand Prix while fighting for third place.

McLaren blamed Piastri for the crash with Norris during the COTA Sprint, saying he tried an aggressive move. He also struggled in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Las Vegas due to low grip before recovering in Qatar.

To top it off, both McLaren drivers were disqualified in Las Vegas after their cars were found to have excessive wear on the underfloor. A bad call from McLaren in Qatar also cost Piastri a possible win.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News