Lando Norris heads into the 2025 Formula 1 season as the favourite for the title, having shown at the end of 2024 that he could dominate races.
His victories in the Netherlands, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi were enough to convince Martin Brundle that Norris is now the driver to back after McLaren produced the fastest car in 2024.
Norris is widely seen as the driver to beat because of his experience over teammate Oscar Piastri, although Guenther Steiner thinks the Australian might be the best pick based on his rookie season with McLaren.
It is set to be an intriguing season for McLaren, with team principal Andrea Stella outlining that his ‘dream’ scenario would be to have both drivers fighting for the title.
When speaking in press conferences at the recent F1 75 event in London, Sky Sports commentator David Croft noticed one thing in Norris’ answers when he was speaking to media that he liked.
Lando Norris has more ‘mature’ responses according to David Croft
Norris has often been shy and humble when speaking to media about his chances, lacking the confidence that his fellow drivers possess.
But Croft noticed one thing in his answers that has changed since last year, which shows that he is ready to win his first F1 title and go up against Max Verstappen again.
“‘Why shouldn’t we as McLaren and me as Lando Norris go into the season thinking we can win it?’ [he said]. I think that’s a very mature response than you might have got three or four years ago from Lando,” said Croft.
“He knows how not to compete and not make the mistakes that cost you in a championship battle. Put those right, he’ll come back a much better driver and be competing for wins week after week.”
Lando Norris keen to learn from 2024 mistakes with Max Verstappen
Norris said he did not do a ‘good enough’ job in 2024, which is the reason why he lost so many opportunities to beat Verstappen.
Zak Brown says Norris has learned from his mistakes in 2024 and will race Verstappen differently, which should yield more race wins.
| Category | Lando Norris | Oscar Piastri |
| 2024 points | 374 | 292 |
| Grand Prix results | 16 | 8 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 20 | 4 |
| Grand Prix wins | 4 | 2 |
| Grand Prix poles | 8 | 0 |
| Grand Prix podiums | 13 | 8 |
| Best finish | 1st | 1st |
| Retirements | 1 | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 6 | 1 |
| Grand Prix points finishes | 23 | 23 |
| Sprint results | 3 | 3 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 4 | 2 |
| Sprint wins | 1 | 1 |
| Sprint poles | 2 | 1 |
| Sprint podiums | 4 | 3 |
Piastri has noted that two race-winning drivers at McLaren may end up helping Verstappen, while Red Bull has a clear number two driver in Liam Lawson.
Norris will need to drive smarter and more consistently to beat Verstappen this year, and the 2025 McLaren presents ample opportunity now that Red Bull is not the fastest package.
