McLaren driver Lando Norris is about to start what could prove to be the most important season of his Formula 1 career.
For the first time, Lando Norris will begin an F1 campaign as one of the favourites to win the title after McLaren secured the constructors’ championship in 2024.
Norris was vital to McLaren winning their first team championship since 1998, winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to seal the title with both Ferrari drivers breathing down his neck.
His teammate Oscar Piastri played his part too, winning in Hungary and Azerbaijan, although he was unable to contribute during the season finale after being taken out by Max Verstappen.
Piastri and Verstappen are likely to be two of Norris’ closest rivals in 2025, while nobody is writing off Ferrari especially after they managed to sign Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes over the winter.
Leclerc has looked extremely quick in private testing already, however, it’s impossible to read anything into these runs and pre-season testing in Bahrain will give a more accurate representation of the pecking order.
Norris proved last season that on his day, he can be the fastest driver on the grid.
He had to wait five years to secure his first Grand Prix victory, but every hurdle he’s faced since then, he’s overcome.
Much was made of Norris not leading races after the first lap when he was on pole position, but he put that statistic to bed after leading from start to finish during a dominant display at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Martin Brundle may never have stood on the top step of the podium himself – making him one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers never to do so – but he is incredibly knowledgeable.
Ahead of the F1 75 event that took place in London, he had some advice for Norris before they went on stage to unveil the MCL39’s livery.
Martin Brundle gives Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri advice before the F1 75 livery launch
In a behind-the-scenes video released by Formula 1, Norris and Piastri can be seen preparing backstage at the F1 75 event and the British driver jokingly swore at the camera when he realised he was being filmed before McLaren’s presentation.
The pair were then seen filming some content for McLaren’s social media before being joined by Brundle who was helping the team present the MCL39.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
Brundle approached the pair and said: “I said to Lando, don’t be shy to give them a load of love out there.
“Give the crowd a load of love!”
Brundle has given Norris advice in the past and while he may not have the accolades that his racing career deserved, he’s now one of the most recognisable faces among F1 fans due to his work on the media side of the sport.
Norris and Piastri were very warmly received by the fans in The O2 and will be hoping crowds are cheering for them around the world this season, particularly when they’re both stood on the podium.
McLaren hoping to avoid team orders issues after 2024 Italian Grand Prix fiasco
If at the first race of the season in Australia it becomes clear that McLaren possess the fastest car this year, team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown face a welcome issue.
McLaren’s priority this season is the constructors’ championship but they will also know that both drivers are going to have their sights firmly set on winning a maiden driver’s title.
Last season, Norris was in the driving seat to challenge Verstappen and while he never got that close, McLaren asked Piastri to support him whenever possible.
READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine
This saw McLaren introduce their papaya rules, but these backfired when a misunderstanding saw Piastri overtake Norris on the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix.
It allowed Charles Leclerc to pass Norris and ended up costing the team victory when the Monegasque driver perfected a one-stop strategy.
McLaren – and both of their drivers – can’t afford to make those mistakes again, meaning they need to enter 2025 with a clear plan of how they’re going to race on track.
Leave feedback about this