Lando Norris finished the 2024 Formula 1 season on top. He produced a controlled drive to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, helping McLaren seal the constructors’ title.
A year ago, Norris was still awaiting his first race win. He’s now stood on the top step four times, in addition to his nine career poles and 26 podiums.
These are the kind of numbers befitting a would-be champion. The feeling is that Norris and McLaren are now ready to chase top honours.
Last season, Max Verstappen’s commanding early lead (69 points after 10/24 races) arguably proved decisive. Norris outscored him by six from that point onwards.
The British driver has warned that McLaren can’t afford another ‘shocking’ start. But with the regulations virtually staying the same, they will almost certainly have a car fast enough to contend from the outset.
As early as last December, Nico Rosberg picked Norris as the 2025 favourite. Perhaps testing will change the picture, but it would take a significant swing for the F1 world to change its mind before Australia.
Toto Wolff expects McLaren star Lando Norris to be even better this year
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff previewed the season ahead in an interview with Sky Sports. He expects the competitive landscape to remain the same as last year.
Red Bull won nine races (but only two of the last 14), McLaren six, Ferrari five and Mercedes four. Wolff also teased the possibility that another team could taste glory in 2025.
He sees an imperious all-round package at McLaren, and believes Norris will have ‘learned’ from his experiences last year. Both driver and team were perhaps guilty of lacking ruthlessness at times.
“He’s a great driver,” Wolff said. “The team has done so well last year. He will have learned a lot [about] what he needs to work on.
“But overall, there were four teams – maybe there are more this year – that can win races. I hope the season is as competitive and exciting.”
Martin Brundle’s private message to Lando Norris at F1 75
There are rumours within F1 that Ferrari have overtaken McLaren this winter and therefore enter the season as the real favourite. But that talk will be put to the test in Bahrain.
And still, the pacesetters this year are likely to exert a small advantage, perhaps less than a tenth. That means driver skill and execution could still make the difference.
Martin Brundle told Norris to give the crowd ‘love’ at F1 75 last week as he tries to become Britain’s next F1 champion. Lewis Hamilton’s retirement is approaching – he turned 40 last month – and the McLaren man will hope to pick up the baton.
David Croft has praised Norris’ maturity ahead of his potential title shot. He may only be 25, but he’ll surpass 150 race starts this year.
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