Lando Norris has the best opportunity he has ever had in his Formula 1 career to win a maiden drivers’ championship in 2025.
The Brit’s superb season-ending performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helped McLaren end a 16-year title drought after teammate Oscar Piastri found himself in trouble early on.
Norris has proven himself to be an able team leader and should start the season with a car capable of competing for victory rather than podiums, as was the case in 2024.
McLaren and Piastri could face a tense situation in 2025 which could lead to a split at the end of the season ahead of the new 2026 F1 regulations.
Norris promised fans he will be better and stronger against Max Verstappen this season, but he might have to up his game against his young teammate who has been improving at a steady pace too.
Peter Windsor says Oscar Piastri will be Lando Norris’ ‘biggest problem’ in 2025
Verstappen and Norris came to blows a few times last season, notably at the Austrian Grand Prix, where the latter was forced to retire, and the Mexico City Grand Prix, where the former was handed 20 seconds worth of penalties.
After winning four consecutive drivers’ championships, it’s no surprise that Verstappen believes he handles pressure better than Norris.
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If Red Bull and McLaren deliver a car to the standard that is expect of them this season, there should be another fight between the two. Flavio Briatore believes Norris needs to solve his inexperience issue against Verstappen before he can beat him.
Peter Windsor believes that Piastri may end up being Norris’ biggest challenger in 2025, which could be a problem for McLaren.
“I do think Lando’s biggest problem is going to be Oscar Piastri. It’s not going to be Charles or Lewis or Max. It won’t get solved because McLaren have shown that they’re incapable of solving that problem.”
How Oscar Piastri wants to avoid McLaren’s team orders in Lando Norris battle
Guenther Steiner believes McLaren ‘learned’ team orders in 2024 and how to deal with them between their two drivers.
The ‘Papaya Rules’ caused some controversy at stages, especially after Piastri’s aggressive first lap move on Norris at the Italian Grand Prix.
The easiest way to avoid a situation like that is to be ahead of the other car, which is why Piastri wants to be quicker in 2025 to avoid McLaren team orders.
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2025 kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix – the 23-year-old’s home event, and he will be extra eager to stamp his mark on the championship.
Beating Norris earlier in the campaign would show his team that he might be the man to lead their charge this season, and tilt the balance in his favour as the campaign develops.
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