Though the Red Bull star remains the firm favourite to retain his drivers' title, Norris may yet have reason to celebrate come the end of the year, with McLaren well-placed to compete for the constructors' crown.
Norris, along with team-mate Oscar Piastri, have consistently got the better of Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, meaning the pressure is building on the reigning champions.
Norris may have been the surprise package of this year's championship, but it was the 24-year-old who was left stunned after recently being given the opportunity to make some new four-legged friends.
The self-proclaimed dog-lover was delighted to welcome some furry visitors from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to the McLaren headquarters and was visibly overwhelmed as he was introduced to the cute pups in what was a total surprise to the Brit.
"You made me cry," he laughed. 'What a little surprise!
"I was expecting people, not dogs, and for those of you who know, I'm a big dog-lover, so it made me want a dog even more."
Norris is not the only F1 star with a soft spot for canines, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton having already brought their much-loved pets along to several grands prix this season.