Lando Norris heads into the 2025 Formula 1 season as the favourite for the title, having been the only driver to challenge Max Verstappenlast year.
The McLaren driver is poised to start this year as he left off in Abu Dhabi, having dominated the race to earn the team’s first Constructors’ title since 1998.
It was a flash of what could be possible for the Briton, after he let go too many points to Max Verstappen during key races of the season. Zak Brown thinks Norris was learning how to race Verstappen and should come back stronger this season.
Norris is ready to learn from the mistakes he made last year and has reacted to being named the title favourite when speaking on Sky Sports.
Lando Norris has more belief in himself compared to previous years
Norris has always been a big advocate of mental health, having struggled with confidence in himself during previous seasons.
The Briton was subject to a lot of criticism for how he handled racing Verstappen last season, with Peter Windsor feeling Norris was ‘swallowing’ the team’s PR lines about how great the 2024 season was despite losing the title.
Norris has spoken up about what it feels like to head into the season as the title favourite and how he is handling the added pressure that it comes with.
“I take it one step at a time. It’s a nice thing, I appreciate all those guys and girls who are out there putting bets on me,” said Norris.
“I feel good about this season, Abu Dhabi ended on the right note and I knew I needed to improve on some areas. But I felt like I improved to myself and that I have what it takes. I’m not coming in with too much over confidence, my whole life I’ve been telling myself I can’t and it’s nice that I tell myself for once that I can.”
Andrea Stella wants intra-team battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Depending on how well McLaren start off the season, they could be in the running for wins pretty early on in the campaign.
Ferrari and Red Bull are expected to be their main rivals based on last year’s championship order, although if they are streets ahead it could throw up an unwanted scenario for Norris.
READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine
Norris and Oscar Piastri had to settle their on-track disputes with team orders in 2024, with ‘Papaya Rules’ being enacted by the team.
Andrea Stella has said that his ‘dream’ scenario would be to be in a position to need team orders with only Norris and Piastri fighting for the title, signifying that the Briton does face a threat within his own team.
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