Lando Norris stands at the pinnacle of Formula 1 glory, yet his championship victory has drawn sharp criticism from the legendary Juan Pablo Montoya. The former McLaren driver has made headlines with his bold assertion that anyone could have clinched the title driving the MCL39, the car that propelled Norris to his first F1 championship in 2025.
McLaren’s dominance this season was undeniable, allowing them to surge through the early stages of the championship largely unchallenged. However, a series of missteps, including a controversial disqualification in Las Vegas, handed a lifeline to Max Verstappen, who made a dramatic push to reclaim the spotlight. Despite these late-season hiccups, McLaren secured the constructors’ title with an astonishing 833 points, leaving Mercedes trailing with a staggering 364-point deficit.
In a candid conversation with Grosvenor Casinos, Montoya didn’t hold back. He acknowledged Norris’s talent but suggested that the car’s superiority was the real game-changer. “Yes, Lando is a worthy champion, but anybody in that car could have been world champion. Two years ago, Max had the best car. So, was he a worthy champion? Yes,” Montoya remarked, pointing out the historical context of championship wins. He compared Norris’s situation to those of past legends like Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, emphasizing that the car’s performance plays a crucial role in any title race.
Montoya elaborated on the dynamics of the season, stating, “I think it has to do a lot with the car, more than him. At the beginning of the year, the car started the way it started, and it takes him a bit of time to understand what he needs out of the car and how to maximise the car.” This reflection underscores the intricate relationship between driver skill and vehicle capability in the fiercely competitive world of F1 racing.
While Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri led the championship standings for a significant stretch of the season, it was ultimately Norris who etched his name into the annals of F1 history as the 35th driver to achieve a world title in 75 years. This achievement showcases not only his driving prowess but also the strategic teamwork and adjustments that propelled McLaren to dominance.
As the dust settles on the 2025 season, Norris can afford to ignore the naysayers. His championship victory is a testament to his resilience and skill, regardless of the external judgments. The narrative surrounding his win may be contentious, but one thing is clear: Lando Norris has secured his place in the history of Formula 1, and his journey is just beginning.
