Verstappen’s 2021 duel with Hamilton was one of the most epic in Formula 1 history. They remarkably entered the final race of the season level on points.
The events of the finale in Abu Dhabi – where FIA race director Michael Masi incorrectly applied the safety-car restart procedure before Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap – have somewhat overshadowed the 21 races that came before.
For some, the season has been permanently tarnished by an unjust conclusion. But for others, particularly Verstappen fans, it will remain one of the great sporting moments.
Verstappen, who ultimately won the title by eight points, scored 10 wins to Hamilton’s eight, and 18 podiums to 17. The pace advantage shifted between the two teams, but it was rarely significant.
The task against Norris was different. Verstappen had nearly double the points of the McLaren driver (110 vs 58) after five races, and then had to try and protect his lead as the Woking outfit mounted a charge.
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen explained why he’d found the 2021 season more difficult.
Mercedes had won seven consecutive drivers’ titles through Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, so Red Bull were trying to take down a mighty dynasty.
Tellingly, Red Bull didn’t ‘care’ about losing the constructors’ title that year because winning the drivers’ was so unexpected.
They hadn’t even come close to contending since the last of Sebastian Vettel’s four consecutive championships in 2013.
Verstappen admits the outcome in 2021 ‘could have gone either way’. Three years on, he had to contend with more off-track ‘drama’ as Christian Horner attempted a disastrous power grab.
| CATEGORY | HAM 2021 | NOR 2024 |
| RACES | 22 | 24 |
| WINS | 8 | 4 |
| POLES | 5 | 8 |
| PODIUMS | 17 | 13 |
| GAP TO VER | 8 | 63 |
But to his credit, he maintained an elite sporting level throughout. From China onwards, Norris never got closer than 44 points.
“In 2021, there was a lot more pressure for me and the team,” Verstappen said. “Then we competed against Mercedes, a team that had been dominant for so long, and I was able to fight for a championship for the first time.
“Lewis Hamilton and I finished first and second almost every race. It could have gone either way back then. This year there may have been a bit more drama around the team, but in terms of sport it was a bit more stressful back then.”
Verstappen arguably met the peak version of Hamilton, one of the all-time greats. By contrast, Norris is still on the upward curve.
‘Nobody’ expected Norris to challenge in 2024, Jolyon Palmer says, and he perhaps found himself in a contending car a little too early. There were moments of naivety and crucial mistakes from both driver and team.
Naturally, he’ll be stronger as a result of those experiences in 2025. McLaren’s constructors’ triumph makes him the theoretical favourite.
Red Bull tried to sign Norris during the previous off-season as they eyed an upgrade on Sergio Perez. He could have gone up against Verstappen in equal machinery, but he’ll feel that McLaren’s resurgence has justified his decision to sign a new long-term contract instead.
