The British driver is ready to face 2025 with a different approach, renewing the challenge to Verstappen.
After securing the Constructors’ Championship with McLaren in 2024, Lando Norris is preparing for a crucial season in Formula 1. With the knowledge gained during the previous season, in which he fought with Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship, the British driver knows that to have a chance at winning, he will need to be more determined.
The challenge resumes
At the unveiling of the new McLaren, Norris renews the challenge to Verstappen, emphasizing the need for a change in mindset: “I have to use my elbows and show that I won’t give up positions easily. But at the same time, I need to be smart. Against Max, you have to be smart“.
Looking back, the British driver realized that he could have handled some situations differently: “When I look back at certain things, I ask myself, ‘Why the hell did I do that? What an idiot.’ But I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I don’t have to take unnecessary risks or throw myself into the mix at all costs I just need to keep focusing on myself“.
The victory he achieved in Miami in 2024, his first, allowed him to find the right balance and fight with Verstappen for the rest of the season. However, the McLaren driver admitted that he wasn’t at the level needed to beat him: ” I wasn’t yet at the level needed to fight with Max. But we’re talking about one of the toughest drivers to face, both in attack and defense “.
McLaren is now in a different position, with much higher pressure and expectations compared to some time ago. But Norris sees the situation as a motivation: ” I don’t feel the pressure from these things. I know there are higher expectations, more sponsors, more fans, and each of these things adds a bit of pressure and nerves. But for me, it’s not a problem. In fact, I believe I perform at my best in these situations “.
Photo: McLaren
