Lando Norris strongly rejected the idea that Red Bull would face difficulties similar to those experienced at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix due to the circuit’s slow-speed corners. Speaking ahead of the 2025 Monaco GP, the McLaren driver highlighted Red Bull’s resilience and Max Verstappen’s exceptional talent, citing the team’s recent strong showing at Imola as evidence of their continued competitiveness. Norris defends Red Bull’s Monaco performance against doubts raised by rivals and commentators.
Assessment of Red Bull’s Performance Across the 2024 and 2025 Seasons
The Red Bull RB21 has struggled with handling issues in low and medium-speed corners throughout both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite these difficulties, the team has consistently managed to adjust the car’s setup by race weekends, but the vehicle still suffers from a narrow balance window—a challenge openly discussed by team principal Christian Horner and Verstappen. Brake issues have also contributed to inconsistencies in performance at various events this year. At the 2024 Monaco GP, Verstappen qualified a disappointing P6, marking his worst qualifying result of that season.
However, Norris dismisses the view that these factors will necessarily hinder Red Bull in 2025, especially in Monaco. He pointed out that the team showed strength in both slow and high-speed corners at the recent Imola race, underlining that outside narratives often misinterpret the data and underestimate Red Bull’s capabilities. Norris argued that the multiple world championships won by the team and the high skill level of Verstappen mean Red Bull remains a very strong contender.
Lando Norris Rebuts Criticism of Red Bull’s Slow-Corner Performance
When questioned by Sportskeeda about expectations that Red Bull and Verstappen might repeat their previous struggles in Monaco, Norris responded firmly:
“What makes you say that they’re not good in slow speed corners? Last year? We’re in 2025 now, well they won last weekend. They’ve been on pole several times this season, Max has won several races. He should have won in Saudi, there’s also slow speed corners in Imola where they were very strong. So I think we have more of the facts and than I think what people on the outside do.” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
He added further commentary on the perception versus reality of Red Bull’s form this year:
“There’s a lot of negative stuff about how bad their car is, but they’re very quick. We’ve said that the whole season, outside people have underestimated them. We know they’ve been a threat, they’ve been the whole year. They will continue to be. Especially when you have a team that has won many World Championships, especially in the last 5 -10 years. And they have Max, and I don’t think you can ever doubt them.” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Norris reiterated that Red Bull’s victory in Imola was well deserved, attributing it to their strong performance in different corner types and good car balance. He highlighted the variability of track characteristics, emphasizing that performance can shift dramatically from one circuit to another:
“They won last weekend because they deserved it. They were good in slow speed, they were good in high speed, and they have a good car. But like we saw between Miami and Imola for ourselves, we can look like heroes one weekend and then we get beaten the next. And it’s not because anything changed, literally just the track. The cars are the same, obviously the tires were the same, it’s literally just the track is different And we go from one to the other, you know. So we just take every weekend as it comes. They could be amazing here.” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Lando Norris Reflects on His Own Performance and Challenges in 2025
While focusing on Red Bull’s resilience at Monaco, Norris also shared candid thoughts about his own form in 2025. He admitted that he has not matched the standard he set in 2024, a year in which his pace helped McLaren secure the Constructors’ Championship. Norris identified qualifying as the primary area in which he needs to regain consistency, despite feeling confident in his race pace.
Compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri, who has taken more poles and victories this season, Norris has struggled to fully utilize the McLaren car’s potential. Speaking about his confidence ahead of Monaco, Norris stated:
“I mean I’m confident I have the speed. But you know it’s true that this year, I’ve not been able to put things together as well as what I have done in the past, for many many years. So it’s something I’ve been very at one with and very, I wouldn’t always say confident but something I’ve always just been very very strong in. And I’ve just not done well enough this season.” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
He acknowledged the fine margins at this elite level of competition, explaining that not delivering a perfect performance can be costly:
“So it’s not like I’m doing a bad job but when you’re against the best in the world, not doing a perfect job is also the definition of probably doing a bad job. So I’m not focusing on I’m working with my team you know when I’m back home or when I’m here at the track on improving these things because it’s been my biggest letdown so far of my season. My races on Sunday have been very strong,” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Norris also stressed the importance of a collaborative effort between himself and his team to rediscover his peak performance:
“My racing, maybe not everyone, but my decision making. My Sunday is I don’t even need to think about. I’m very happy with my opportunities on Saturday. So yeah, I know what I need to focus on. But like I said before, and I’ve said the last few weeks, it still takes time, it takes work from both halves, both for me as a driver and people I work with, and also as a team, providing me the equipment, the feelings that I need to perform at the level that I did last season. Because I think the level I performed that last season is a level that will would have got me a lot more poles this year. So yeah I’ve got it I know that I is there somewhere but unlocking it just takes work and time.” —Lando Norris, McLaren Driver
Championship Standings and Outlook for McLaren and Red Bull
Currently, Lando Norris sits second in the Drivers’ Championship with 133 points, trailing teammate Oscar Piastri by 13 points, who leads with 146 points. Max Verstappen holds third place on 124 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren holds a comfortable advantage with 279 points, well ahead of Mercedes at 147 and Red Bull at 131 points. Despite McLaren’s strong position, their competitiveness compared to Red Bull fluctuates, as seen in the Imola race where Red Bull’s pace challenged McLaren’s dominance.
While Red Bull struggled on the Monaco circuit in 2024, the team is expected to rebound in 2025. Should Red Bull resolve their ongoing performance issues, particularly with car balance and braking, the gap between them and McLaren could shrink over the coming races, intensifying the championship battle.
Overall, Norris’s defense of Red Bull’s strength underscores the unpredictable and competitive nature of Formula 1, reminding that underestimating a team with the resources and talent of Red Bull can be a costly error.
