All eyes on Norris: which F1 rapper is in the driving seat to clinch top spot of the championship with 6 races to go?

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are for comedic purposes and not to be taken seriously).

What was missing from the '8 Mile' movie? Mohammed Ben Saluyem, may have thought F1 rappers after criticising the racing drivers for swearing on the team radio. Lewis Hamilton responded by stating he felt the comments had a ‘racial element’. He’s probably correct. 

Although, maybe Saluyem knows something we don’t, George Russell (stage name Imperious Russ) may well be spitting filthy bars that are too elaborate for the average man to catch. Maybe Tekashi 69 was inspired to snitch by the ever petulant Max Verstappen (Tecrashy 69). 

This article will explore who is in the driving seat for the F1 championship and who could do with a career change.

Not Chuck Norris (Lando Norris)

What a season it’s been for boy wonder. From almost betraying his teammate by flirting with disobeying team orders at the Hungarian prix, to his emphatic win in Singapore, it has certainly been far from simple. 

It almost mirrors Lando Calriseans story arc in the first Star Wars trilogy, from treacherous villain to a resounding hero. Mounting a first genuine title challenge will always involve bumps in the road, but Lando has firmly announced himself as a top 3 driver (potentially the best) in F1.

With six races to go, he’s 52 points behind Verstappen. It will require an almost perfect 6 races, but based on the form of himself and the McLaren car versus Red Bull and Max, you wouldn’t bet against Lando pulling it off. 

As his favorite song is ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ by the rapper MGK, I’d highly suggest he focuses on winning on the track and leaves spitting bars to those with a better taste in music. 

Tecrashy 69 (Max Verstappen)

Max Verstappen. Has his era of dominance come to a sudden and permanent halt? There is no denying Max’s greatness. He is a three time world champion and no one can unequivocally claim that there is a better driver in F1 at the moment. 

However, his last race win was June the 23rd at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Since then, Moany Max has been well… moaning. McLaren has placed themselves as the firm favourites for the Constructors Championship and their car is now the most dominant in the field. 

The title is still in the Dutch racing savants hands, as stated by Norris: “if Max keeps finishing second and Red Bull keep doing like they did this weekend, then there’s nothing more I can do”. 

He recently stated that "for me, that is not a way of continuing in the sport, that’s for sure", when discussing the FIAs reprimands and also called them “silly”. Very much invoking the sentiment of Tekkashi 69s genius line “these bitches think I’m stupid, I ain't stupid” from his song ‘Tati’.

Maybe Max could break the mould and start the beginning of new era in Dutch rap. 

O.P Aussie (Oscar Piastri) 

Oscar is having an absolute ripsnorter of a season so far. In recent weeks, it’s been reported that he would be treated as somewhat of a second fiddle to Lando, and yet he’s driven like a future F1 champion. 

His first win couldn’t have come under more tempestuous circumstances, with Lando begrudgingly giving up the lead to Piastri in the dying moments of the race, as per team orders. 

However, his win in Azerbaijan solidified the young wallabies status as a potential championship contender for next season. He is no longer one for the future, he is a star of today. 

Seeing as he’s not the most expressive driver on the grid, I’d suggest he sticks to the tarmac for now. 

MC Hammer Time (Lewis Hamilton)

No one in F1 can touch Sir Lewis Hamilton's greatness. At the age of 39 he’s still competing at a top level, winning the Belgian Grand Prix most recently. However, he’s not been in championship contention since the infamous climax to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. 

Will his switch to Ferrari next year rectify this and provide him with another shot at a title? The Tifosi are certainly overdue both a championship winning driver and team.

Winning Monza shouldn't be enough for this car manufacturing titan, whose own slogan is “we’re the competition”. The truth is they haven’t won a constructors title since 2008 or a drivers championship since 2007. If there is one man who could turn Ferrari's fortunes around it’s the GOAT.

MC Hammer Time has nothing to prove, but I doubt Lewis will retire before we see him in one more hair raising clash for a title. 

Honorable mentions

LeBaby Face (Charles Leclerc - 3rd), Rhymes with Heinz (Carlos Sainz- 4th) and Imperious Russ (George Russell - ) are all talented drivers in their own right. Whilst none are gunning for the championship this season, they certainly have the credentials (bar maybe Sainz) of becoming a Formula 1 drivers champion.

Charles Leclerc will surely benefit from a partnership with the GOAT, who he will learn invaluable lessons from. Who better to teach Leclerc about consistency than the man who has won 7 drivers championships? 

For George, it’s been a disappointing season overall, but one where he’s shown flashes of his undeniable ability. It goes without saying that a lot will depend on their prospective cars performance, but in the right one these two are without a doubt title contenders.