Drivers now ready to stand up to Verstappen's intimidation?

Convinced of seeing McLaren dominate next season on the momentum of their constructors' world title won this year, Johnny Herbert is eager to see what effect this could have on the dynamic between the drivers. If he expects to see Lando Norris take a new step, he is seduced by the approach and progression of Oscar Piastri.

“He has the right attitude”he explains in an interview with CoinPoker. “He thinks about himself and doesn't worry about others. That's what he has to do when he relaunches into a season where McLaren will start as favorite. He has Mark Webber as manager. Oscar knows what he has to do “If he starts dominant, he'll be in a very good position, but I don't think Lando will let him.”

“Lando was magnificent in qualifying and he raced brilliantly. The competition will push them both. I like Oscar's state of mind. The next big face-off, next season, will be between Oscar and Lando! McLaren will dominate ahead of Red Bull, then Ferrari and Mercedes.”

Johnny Herbert, however, does not rule out Max Verstappen from the equation, while noting that the behavior of his rivals towards him is gradually evolving and could lead to inevitable moments of tension on the track.

“Lando is missing that intimidation factor at the moment”even says the former pilot. “He's been open about the fact that perhaps he hasn't been up to the task this year. From what I hear, he's accepted that he now has to change that.”

“This is a time when many drivers are starting to think like Max. It will be very interesting to see who comes out on top next year. There could well be a fight next season, but that's what we want in Formula 1: neck-and-neck fighting, combined with common sense. Max puts pressure on everyone.”

“The 'dive bombs' of Verstappen sur Piastri [à Abu Dhabi]it was intimidation. McLaren will be a threat to him next year. We saw that Oscar had the potential to win races and, perhaps, a world title, just like Norris of course. Wheel to wheel as they were in Abu Dhabi, neither was going to give way. We heard Oscar on the radio when he heard Max had a penalty, that's great, we have someone else here who is ready to stand up to Max.”

“That’s where we’ve seen a change this season. George [Russell] had some problems and verbal confrontations with Max. That's exactly what Max did so well for years, using every weapon he could, and that includes intimidation. This year, the other drivers said 'OK, we're ready for this'. Leclerc, Russell, Oscar, Lewis [Hamilton]…and we'll see more from Lando too.”

The pilots are more united than ever and form a pack.

Inevitably, with an increasingly tight peloton and on-track battles multiplying, the marshals could have a lot of work to do in 2025. Johnny Herbert, who has regularly officiated in this position in recent months, therefore expects to some hot moments.

“It was the most argumentative year ever.”he said of last season. “Not just in the stewards' office, but also in the stables. It's much more intense than I've felt before.”

“The drivers are more united than ever and form a pack. They have very strong opinions. I haven't seen such unity in over 30 years. It's a good thing that they have a say. The more they do it, the more they are listened to, and it’s important that they are.”