Mario Andretti knows a thing or two about winning a Formula 1 world championship.
The 84-year-old – who is also a four-time IndyCar champion – won the 1978 F1 drivers’ championship ahead of Ronnie Peterson, Carlos Reutemann and the legendary Niki Lauda.
Andretti won his title while racing for Lotus, but also enjoyed spells at Ferrari and Williams in one of motor racing’s most illustrious careers.
The American is set to be appearing in Formula 1 paddock much more often from next season as he takes on an advisory role with Cadillac who are likely to become the sport’s 11th team in 2026.
Until then, he’s a relatively neutral voice in the sport and in an interview with F1 Maximaal has been talking about both McLaren drivers going into the upcoming season.
Team principal Andrea Stella oversaw the Woking-based team’s first championship campaign since Lewis Hamilton won the driver’s title in 2008.
He has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to thank for that achievement and Andretti believes that both drivers now need to be aiming for more than just race wins in 2025.
Norris has been tipped by Nico Rosberg as the favourite for the 2025 title, but he’ll have his work cut out if he believes that he can win his first championship without some serious competition both from within his team and elsewhere in the paddock.
Mario Andretti tells Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to ‘start focusing’ on winning F1 titles
Andretti was asked whether he thought McLaren got the most possible out of the 2024 season and said: “I think so.
“You could clearly see that both young drivers themselves were surprised by how well the car performed. From my perspective, I think they did a great job.
“I can also see how Zak Brown has pushed Andrea Stella forward into a management role.
“That was a very valuable move, and it enabled the drivers to perform at [the] top level.
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“You can see that both drivers are getting better and better. They are still gaining experience every race in competing at the front of the field, starting races from the front row of the grid, and things like that.
“It’s so nice to see both young men doing so well.
“They have both shown they are capable of winning.
“If you have shown that you can win races, you can start focusing on winning a championship in the near future in your career.”
Lando Norris must overcome Max Verstappen difficulties to win the 2025 F1 championship
If McLaren once again have the fastest car on the grid this year, then Norris’ closest rival is likely to be Piastri.
The Australian is still improving at a rapid rate and it may only be a matter of time until he potentially surpasses the 25-year-old.
However, Max Verstappen is another driver that Norris and McLaren can’t afford to discount regardless of Red Bull’s relative struggles last year.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
Verstappen has already warned Norris that he doesn’t feel he has any weaknesses going into 2025 even if Red Bull’s car isn’t the most competitive on the grid.
When they went wheel-to-wheel last season, the Dutchman usually came out on top, even if his tactics weren’t always the most conventional.
It’s up to Norris to overcome that problem, otherwise, it might be Piastri putting up the strongest challenge to stop the 27-year-old from winning five championships on the bounce.
