Lando Norris reached a significant milestone at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking his 152nd Formula 1 race and securing his first world championship by narrowly defeating Max Verstappen. This head-to-head comparison examines the performance of both drivers after 152 starts, using the Max Verstappen career comparison as a focal point.
Early Years and Career Paths in Formula 1
Max Verstappen launched his Formula 1 journey in 2015, racing for Toro Rosso, which is now known as Racing Bulls. His talents quickly drew interest, not only from Red Bull but even from Toto Wolff. After a brief period with Toro Rosso, Verstappen moved up to Red Bull Racing a little over a year into his career, immediately competing for prominence against established teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Verstappen’s ascendancy culminated in four back-to-back world championships from 2021 to 2024, highlighting a stretch of dominance.
Lando Norris, in contrast, made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2019 as the runner-up from the 2018 Formula 2 season. The Briton consistently propelled McLaren into competitive positions, gradually climbing the ranks and battling Verstappen for the F1 title in 2024. Although Norris fell short in 2024, he broke through to clinch the world championship in 2025. Verstappen’s 152nd start coincided with the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, which serves as the cutoff for this comparison.
Championship Success: Deadlock After 152 Races
Max Verstappen captured his inaugural Formula 1 championship in 2021 during what was his seventh season, after posting several top-three finishes in previous years and ultimately defeating Lewis Hamilton in a memorable title battle. By his 152nd race at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022, Verstappen was well on track to secure a second championship that season.
Similarly, Lando Norris’s seventh season in F1 corresponded with his first world title in 2025, overcoming competition from both Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Each driver, therefore, had one championship to their name after exactly 152 race starts.
Wins: Verstappen’s Lead Over Norris
Verstappen made an instant impact after joining Red Bull from Toro Rosso, winning his debut race with the team at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Throughout his initial seasons, he consistently added to his win tally, sealing 10 victories alone in the 2021 season. By the time he hit 152 starts, Verstappen had 26 race wins to his credit.
Norris, meanwhile, experienced a longer route to victory, collecting his first win at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, aided by strategic luck with the safety car. Even during his championship-winning campaign in 2025, Norris managed to secure only 7 more wins, totaling 11 at the 152-race mark.
Podium Finishes: Consistent Performers on the Grid
Both Verstappen and Norris claimed their maiden podiums in their respective second seasons, with Verstappen achieving victory in Spain and Norris securing a third-place finish in Austria. During a period when Mercedes dominated the sport, Verstappen regularly finished among the top three, resulting in 68 podiums—an average of one podium every 2.2 starts after 152 races.
Norris’s podium count accelerated in the later part of his career, especially from 2023 onward as McLaren regained competitiveness. Consequently, the Briton’s podiums numbered 44 by his 152nd start.
Pole Positions: Evenly Matched in Qualifying Pace
After 152 races, Verstappen and Norris were matched in the number of pole positions, each holding 16. However, an important point emerges: Verstappen had secured more race wins than poles, while Norris held the opposite record, suggesting that Verstappen was more effective at converting strong qualifying results into victories.
Total Points: Verstappen’s Substantial Advantage
When assessing total championship points, Norris finished inside the top ten in 123 out of his first 152 races. Verstappen scored points 118 times within the same span. Despite Norris’s strong consistency, Verstappen amassed 2,216.5 career points, nearly half again as many as Norris’s 1,430 points at the same milestone. Factors contributing to Verstappen’s substantial lead include his superior average finishing position and Red Bull’s competitive edge in race outcomes.
Significance of the 152-Race Milestone
This career comparison underscores how both Max Verstappen and Lando Norris achieved unique successes and charted different routes to the top of Formula 1. Verstappen, backed by Red Bull and rapid development, experienced a sharp rise in wins and points, particularly during his championship-winning years. Norris, representing McLaren, demonstrated perseverance and gradual improvement, ultimately reaching the pinnacle by claiming his maiden title in his seventh season. As both drivers move beyond their 152nd starts, their rivalry is set to become even more compelling, influencing the future narrative of Formula 1.
