Lando Norris is focused on regaining lost ground in the Formula One drivers‘ championship at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, following his recent withdrawal from the Dutch Grand Prix caused by an oil leak linked to a chassis failure. Despite retiring just seven laps before finishing in second place, Norris remains hopeful about making a strong comeback in the remaining races of the season.
The retirement at Zandvoort has placed Norris 34 points behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in the standings. However, the British driver is confident in his ability to recover those points and improve his championship position as the season progresses.
McLaren‘s Reliability Streak and Team Response to Setback
Before the unexpected mechanical failure at Zandvoort, McLaren enjoyed an impressive stretch of 60 consecutive races without a mechanical retirement, starting from the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix. Both McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown expressed their apologies for the car’s breakdown.
Norris himself acknowledged the team’s strong reliability record, saying,
“It’s not Andrea’s fault, it’s not Zak’s fault,”
demonstrating his understanding and support for his team’s efforts despite the unfortunate incident.
Potential Milestone for McLaren if Victorious at Monza
A victory by either Norris or Piastri at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza would mark McLaren’s 13th win of 2025, surpassing the 12 wins they achieved with Alain Prost and Niki Lauda in 1984. This would also become McLaren’s second-highest number of wins in a single season, just behind the 15 victories they secured with Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1988, highlighting a period of significant success for the team.
Norris and Piastri’s Growing Partnership in Formula One
Norris and Piastri are entering their 63rd race as teammates at Monza, placing them as the 15th most experienced pair in Formula One history. With nine races remaining this season, Norris recognizes that he will face both challenges and opportunities to narrow the gap with Piastri.
The rivalry between the two is marked by mutual respect and intense competition. Norris stated,
“We still have to respect each other a lot,”
underscoring that while they race closely and aggressively, their relationship is built on professionalism and sportsmanship.
Maintaining Focus Amid Challenges and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on McLaren’s record of consistency, Norris took pride in the team’s 60-race streak without technical failures and did not assign blame for the recent setback. He views such issues as part of the inherent challenges of motorsport and remains committed to maintaining a positive outlook.
Looking forward, Norris is determined to improve his performances in upcoming races instead of dwelling on past disappointments. His mindset reflects both earnestness and cautious optimism as he gears up for the Italian Grand Prix, aiming to capitalize on every opportunity.
