This driver can end Max Verstappen's Formula One title streak

Norris and current champ Verstappen — the winner of four consecutive F1 championships — combined to stand atop the podium in 31.8 percent of the F1 races this past season on the 22-stop circuit.

Verstappen began his reign in 2021 with a spirited campaign that wasn't without controversy. 

The Belgian-Dutch driver unseated Hamilton, who had won the prior four driving titles and six of seven overall. Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most titles ever, with seven each.

The last driver other than Hamilton or Verstappen who claimed a title was Hamilton's now ex-Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg, in 2016. 

Hamilton will debut in 2025 with team Ferrari after a historic 12 seasons with Mercedes, setting a record for most time with the same constructor.

Lando's McLaren outfit is already serving notice, having uncharacteristic early-season competitive success in F1 testing at Bahrain, with Norris looking "stunningly fast."

As the 2025 season opener of the March 14 Australian Grand Prix quickly approaches, Norris is the betting choice at sportsbooks around the globe. 

According to Bet365, Norris is a solid +175 favorite, with Verstappen in second at +300. Hamilton's Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc — the 2022 title runner-up to Verstappen — sits in third at +450, and Hamilton is next at +550.

Norris's strong finish to the 2024 campaign helped squash chatter that perhaps he lacked the mental wherewithal to compete against Verstappen throughout an arduous season. 

The fan favorite came of age by closely analyzing Verstappen's style and tactics and proving he can grind with the four-time F1 world champion.

Former McLaren back-to-back F1 driving champion Mika Häkkinen offered this analysis.

 "When I have been studying and looking around, people say, 'Is he ready, can he mentally take this kind of pressure?' Häkkinen said. "When you are not a champion, and you are working towards that goal, it requires a lot of mistakes. I believe Lando is ready; he is flat-out ready to achieve his goal, and he can become a world champion."

The young British star seems to have all the championship momentum. A $1,000 futures investment would currently yield $2,750 total — while enjoying a full season of F1 thrills and having a nice profit to spend on a vacation or Christmas presents.