Red Bull star Max Verstappen has responded defiantly to recent comments by FIA steward and former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, who suggested that a DNF (Did Not Finish) in the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix could reignite Lando Norris’s title chances. With Verstappen edging closer to his fourth world championship after a thrilling win at the Brazilian GP, Herbert’s remarks have sparked fresh speculation on how a single non-finish might impact the championship standings.
Herbert, speaking to Vision4Sport, highlighted how a DNF for Verstappen in Las Vegas could be a turning point: “One non-finish by Max would make a massive change to the championship. Max is still the hot favourite even if that happened, but Lando has kept the pressure on him.”
Reacting to Herbert’s comments, Verstappen was quick to dismiss any thoughts of failure. “I’m focused on winning, not theories,” Verstappen said in a post-race interview. “We have three races left, and my goal is to finish strong in all of them. I’m not going into Las Vegas thinking about DNFs. I’m here to race and to win, plain and simple.”
Verstappen, who started in P16 at the Brazilian GP due to a Q2 exit and grid penalty, showcased his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 by charging up the field to take the lead after a well-timed red flag. Despite starting further back, his calculated performance secured a crucial victory and pushed him even closer to clinching the title. In contrast, Norris struggled, finishing in P6, which significantly widened the gap between the two drivers in the title chase.
Herbert had added that Norris’s strong performance this season means he’ll be a “psychological threat” to Verstappen in 2025, regardless of the outcome this year. However, Verstappen appeared unfazed by such long-term predictions. “Lando has had a fantastic season, no doubt about that. But I’m here to focus on my own goals. Titles aren’t won by hypotheticals; they’re won by points on the board.”
With only a handful of races remaining, Verstappen’s firm response shows his commitment to defending his championship lead and ending the season on a high, no matter the speculation surrounding his performance in Las Vegas.
