McLaren driver Lando Norris enters the 2025 Formula 1 season with expectations higher than they ever have been during his career.
Lando Norris had to wait until his sixth season in the sport to finally stand on the top step of the podium for McLaren.
Max Verstappen applauded Norris as he finally achieved that coveted Grand Prix victory at last year’s Miami Grand Prix.
However, it wasn’t long until the Dutchman was looking over his shoulders as McLaren appeared to crack the code of the sport’s current regulations and went on to win their first constructors’ championship this century.
Verstappen did exceptionally well to hold off Norris as Red Bull slipped down the pecking order, maximising every result possible to wrap up his fourth title in Las Vegas.
Eddie Jordan previously told Norris what lessons he needs to learn if he’s going to challenge Verstappen who no longer has a significant pace advantage over the the Brit.
He’s not got the same level of ruthlessness as the four-time world champion just yet, while Verstappen regularly beat Norris off the line, an issue that McLaren have taken partial responsibility for.
Mario Andretti tells Lando Norris what he needs to do to become a Formula 1 world champion
Mario Andretti has experience winning some of the biggest titles in motorsport.
The former F1 and IndyCar champion was speaking to F1 Maximaal and reviewing Norris’ 2024 season, he said: “Norris will learn a lot from this.
“If you haven’t had that experience of starting at the front before, this is something you have to learn.
“You also notice that that pressure was there because he didn’t even want to talk about the title situation for a while. He didn’t have good starts either, but he learned.
“He definitely learned. With both drivers, it was clear that they have improved themselves, and they now know how to handle exciting situations.
“They both show they can win races, and that’s the ultimate proof you want for yourself.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
“If I compare it to my own career: when I started winning at that level, I realised that maybe I belonged at that level.
“You just get more confidence then, and confidence is crucial. This is why you always have to keep improving so that at some point you realise you can handle the pressure.
“You feel after a win then: I have proved that I can handle it. That is very important, and young talents should also say this to themselves.
“You also have to show it, and not just talk about it.”
Nico Rosberg backing Lando Norris to win landmark F1 championship
Until pre-season testing begins in Bahrain, it’s impossible to know whether McLaren will still possess the fastest car in 2025.
Ferrari were hot on their tail at the end of last year, while Red Bull and Mercedes had also resolved some of the issues that plagued them throughout the campaign.
However, with new regulations on the horizon in 2026, teams are unlikely to commit all of their resources to this year’s car when the grid has already converged to such a point that any significant investment is likely to yield very marginal gains.
READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine
It could therefore come down to a shootout between the two McLaren drivers and Norris will back himself against Oscar Piastri.
Andretti believes Norris and Piastri need to start focusing on winning now, with no guarantee that they’ll be at the front of the pack in 2026.
Nico Rosberg has backed Norris as the favourite to win the 2025 title, but only time will tell whether his prediction is accurate.
