Martin Brundle spots key Lando Norris change in latest Verstappen duel

Lando Norris showed a newfound tactical maturity in his Miami Grand Prix duel with Max Verstappen, as Sky F1's Martin Brundle noted the McLaren driver is now “wise” to his Red Bull rival's aggressive moves. Norris pulled off a cutback pass after anticipating Verstappen's lunge, a move that earned him second place and highlighted a key evolution in their wheel-to-wheel battles.

Why it matters:

Norris and Verstappen have fought for championships the past two seasons, with Verstappen often prevailing through aggressive tactics. Norris's ability to anticipate and counter that aggression signals a mental shift that could level the playing field in future clashes, especially as McLaren closes the gap to the front.

The details:

• On lap 29 in Miami, Norris attacked Verstappen down the back straight. Verstappen moved to the inside, but Norris expected the move and executed a cutback, taking second place.
• Brundle observed live: “Will he try to lunge back? Yes, he will! At which point Norris will tuck underneath him… Lando’s wise enough these days to know that Max is going to come back at him.”
• Norris finished P2, his and McLaren's best result of 2025, while Verstappen dropped to fifth. Norris now sits P4 in the standings, 49 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.

The big picture:

• McLaren are third in the Constructors' Championship, 86 points behind leaders Mercedes, but team principal Andrea Stella remains confident. “We are just at our fourth race… we know we can further develop our car. We want to defend the championship.”
• Former strategist Bernie Collins believes McLaren's strong upgrade pace could keep them in the title fight, saying: “This season has the potential to really push drivers and teams right to the end of the year.”
• Norris’s improved racecraft, combined with McLaren’s development trajectory, suggests their championship hopes are real—provided they can maintain consistency.