Verstappen’s manager insists Max deserved the 2025 title despite finishing second to Lando Norris after a late-season surge. Punters may back Verstappen in short-term race markets given eight wins and a 10-race podium streak, but Norris’ consistency and title-winning form make outright and season-long bets favor Norris or conservative head-to-head/prop markets over a straightforward Verstappen title wager.
Verstappen’s Camp: “For me, he won it”
Max Verstappen’s manager has made a blunt assessment of the 2025 world championship, insisting the Dutch driver was the rightful champion despite finishing two points behind Lando Norris. “For me, he won it,” the manager declared, refusing to accept that a single mid-season incident decided the title.
How the Championship Flipped
At the Dutch Grand Prix in late August Verstappen trailed Oscar Piastri by 104 points, with Piastri 34 points clear of Norris after Norris suffered a mechanical DNF while running second at Zandvoort. By the season finale in Abu Dhabi the standings had reversed: Norris clinched the championship, Verstappen finished second, and Piastri slipped to third after a nine-race winless run.
Season Turning Points and Controversies
Verstappen’s campaign included several dramatic moments. A costly crash with George Russell in Spain is often cited as a defining flashpoint, while incidents in Austria and a poor showing in Budapest are also highlighted as blemishes on his title bid. The manager pushed back on the narrative that one incident cost the crown, noting other key moments across the season and pointing to Norris’ earlier DNF in Zandvoort as part of the ebb and flow of a long championship fight.
Late-Season Charge: Numbers That Matter
Despite missing out on the title, Verstappen mounted a ferocious late run: 10 consecutive podiums, six wins during that streak, and he swept the season-ending triple-header. He finished the year with eight victories — the most of any driver in 2025 — underlining that his pace and racecraft were formidable right to the finish.
Team Work and Responsibility
The manager declined to place blame squarely on the team. He praised the squad’s response to performance issues, saying the engineers adjusted approach and kept developing the car “until the last moment.” The message was clear: while frustration arose from technical struggles, the collective effort remained strong.
Betting and Sporting Implications
For bettors, the story offers a nuanced picture. Verstappen’s late-season form and superior win tally make him an attractive pick for single-race markets and podium or win props when the circuit suits his strengths. However, Norris’ season-long consistency and ultimate title victory suggest punters should favour head-to-head markets and championship-based bets that reflect form across an entire season rather than one driver’s late surge. Consider hedged or prop-focused strategies (fastest lap, podium finishes) where Verstappen’s upside is best captured without risking long-term outright exposure.
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