Lando Norris has dismissed any worries about McLaren prioritizing teammate Oscar Piastri in the Formula 1 title battle, despite Max Verstappen’s recent resurgence. As the championship season enters its final stages with seven races and three sprint events left, Norris continues to focus on his own performance rather than internal team dynamics.
After back-to-back wins, Verstappen has significantly closed the gap to Piastri, reducing the Australian driver’s lead to 69 points. Norris sits 44 points behind Verstappen and trails Piastri by 25 in the title standings. Piastri’s retirement from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and Norris’s modest seventh-place finish there have sparked speculation that McLaren might favor one driver to combat Red Bull’s challenge, but the team insists both drivers will receive equal backing.
Norris Responds to Concerns About Team Priorities
When asked before the Singapore Grand Prix if he feared being sidelined in favor of Piastri, Norris responded with humor rather than apprehension.
“I’m very concerned. Very worried about it and scared frankly. I am happy you asked that. No,”
he said, clearly indicating he feels no anxiety about being overshadowed by his teammate.
McLaren’s consistent approach of treating Norris and Piastri equally remains unchanged, even as Verstappen’s threat looms large. The team acknowledges Verstappen as a formidable adversary in the championship fight, but avoids creating a hierarchy between its two drivers.
Norris Acknowledges Verstappen’s Strength as a Competitor
Beyond his lighthearted dismissal, Norris recognizes Verstappen as a legitimate contender for the 2025 F1 world title. He emphasized Verstappen’s competitiveness by reflecting on the early season clashes where Red Bull rivaled McLaren closely. “He is genuinely a challenger,” Norris stated, highlighting how vehicle upgrades by both teams have maintained a competitive balance.
Despite aiming to dominate races, Norris admitted McLaren has faced difficulties. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team had the pace but failed to capitalize, allowing Verstappen to gain ground. Earlier at Monza, Red Bull proved notably faster, demonstrating their ongoing threat.
Looking ahead, Norris expects Red Bull to excel at specific circuits, including Las Vegas and other low-downforce tracks, which may not play to McLaren’s strengths. He noted,
“We will go to Las Vegas and other low-downforce tracks where we don’t expect to be as great as we have been – so that is an opportunity for Red Bull – but we are just focusing on ourselves and maximising our performances.”
When pressed about Verstappen’s chances from a statistical standpoint, Norris offered a cautious but open reply, saying,
“I mean there’s a chance, so more than zero!”
He added,
“There’s probably like actual stats. I don’t know! There’s a chance.”
Season Outlook and Remaining Challenges
With several races still to come, Norris remains steady in mentality, resisting distractions regarding team orders or favoritism. The title race remains wide open, with Verstappen chasing Piastri and both McLaren drivers seeking to maintain strong performances. McLaren’s decision to support both Norris and Piastri equally may shape the dynamics in the closing stages.
The team’s collective focus is on maximizing every opportunity as they face circuits favoring different cars and conditions. Norris’s pragmatism about Verstappen’s threat reflects the intensity and uncertainty that characterize this pivotal phase of the Formula 1 season.
