Rosberg claims Verstappen left ‘really scared’ by Norris

2016 F1 champion Nico Hulkenberg has claimed Max Verstappen was left “really scared” by Lando Norris’ surge in the drivers’ title.

Verstappen claimed his fourth F1 title this season, sealing the trophy at the third-to-last round in Las Vegas.

However, the Dutchman faced a challenge from Lando Norris after McLaren’s MCL38 challenger took a step forward in the mid-part of the campaign while Red Bull slipped back in the pecking order.

The F1 field converged in the sport’s third year of the current set of technical regulations, with seven drivers winning a race throughout the campaign.

Speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, Rosberg praised the unpredictability of the year.

“It was such a thrilling season,” he stated. “We had seven multiple-race winners if I’m not mistaken. 

“We went to every race and had no idea who was going to win.

“One time, it was Mercedes, once it was Ferrari, [then] McLaren and then Red Bull again.”

Norris began to close down Verstappen’s drivers’ championship lead as the season wore on, but a handful of strong performances towards the end of the campaign was enough for Verstappen to fend off the threat.

Rosberg credited Verstappen for making the difference in the title fight as he claimed he did not have the fastest car after the first third of the season.

“Even the world championship was really wide open at one point, Verstappen was really scared that he was actually going to lose it,” he said.

“Since Imola, he didn’t have the fastest car anymore and Lando was flying.

“So it’s quite miraculous and really a testament to Verstappen’s brilliance that he really managed to carry this championship home and close it off so early.

“McLaren and Lando were just faster and stronger. So it was really phenomenal, that was exciting.

“We really thought it would go to the wire. So everything was just thrilling.”