Lando Norris admits he and Oscar Piastri are `nervous and excited` about the prospect of a head-to-head title fight in F1 for McLaren in 2025. However, Norris believes the team is well-prepared for this scenario.
McLaren`s strong performance has positioned them as title contenders. Norris and Piastri have already secured the first two Grand Prix wins of the season. A potential one-two finish was only missed at the Australian Grand Prix due to Piastri`s spin in wet conditions.
Despite this setback, Piastri`s victory in China leaves Norris leading him by 10 points in the current standings. With Verstappen and Russell between them, the McLaren duo are expected to be strong contenders for victory at the upcoming race in Japan on April 6.
When asked about the potential difficulties of a season-long title battle between teammates, Norris stated they were allowed to race freely in China and previous races. He anticipates closer racing in the future and feels both drivers and the team are ready, despite the mix of nerves and excitement.
Norris acknowledges the competitive dynamic, saying, “We both know we want to try and beat each other and show who`s best.” He believes this rivalry is inevitable and beneficial, contributing to their individual and collective performance.
However, Norris cautions against complacency, noting that other teams are developing upgrades and could quickly catch up. He emphasizes the need for McLaren to continue improving as a team.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella commented on the team`s readiness for a driver title fight: “In reality, we have tried to be ready for that for a long time now. What is important to me is that the fundamental values everyone brings are to support the team`s interests in a healthy way and according to our principles.” He praises Norris and Piastri for naturally fostering team performance through internal competition and believes McLaren will continue to learn and grow in managing this dynamic.
Norris highlights the pairing with Piastri as a “huge advantage” for McLaren, suggesting only Ferrari has a comparable driver lineup. He believes their combined strength pushes McLaren ahead, even against teams with arguably superior individual drivers. “That`s one of our biggest strengths at the minute – how we`re able to learn from each other,” Norris concludes.
Piastri agrees, noting their complementary strengths and weaknesses. He recognizes instances where his driving style was advantageous and times he`s learned from Norris. He affirms the benefit of strong teammates in driving mutual improvement.
