Lando Norris has expressed confidence that McLaren is currently a more stable and better-performing Formula 1 team compared to Red Bull. Despite Max Verstappen’s ongoing dominance, Norris believes his team’s cohesion is a key advantage going forward.
The 2024 season saw Verstappen secure his fourth consecutive World Championship, but Norris and McLaren pushed strongly throughout the year, signaling a shift in the competitive dynamic. Norris acknowledged Verstappen’s status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, even as he highlighted McLaren’s improved team environment.
Red Bull’s Dominance and McLaren’s Rising Challenge
Red Bull dominated Formula 1’s early ground effect era, especially with Verstappen’s record-breaking 2023 season, where he won 19 of 22 races. Though Verstappen claimed a fourth title in 2024, McLaren proved to be a serious challenger, closing the gap more than ever before.
Norris noted,
“We have a team that’s a lot more stable and performing a lot better than Red Bull is.”
He also said,
“We have a better car. We have a better team. So, I have my confidence in them that we can stay ahead.”
This suggests McLaren is preparing to extend its competitiveness through the next regulatory phase after 2025.
F1 2025: Norris and Piastri in a Tight Teammate Duel
As the 2025 season progresses, the rivalry within McLaren intensifies. At the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Verstappen arrived 97 points behind Oscar Piastri, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship. While McLaren has achieved four consecutive one-two finishes, Red Bull remains poised for a comeback.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, remains cautious despite their lead. He remarked,
“I wouldn’t exclude Max, for instance, being in the game,”
and added,
“We remain concentrated, but we want to put our drivers in a position to sustain their quest until the end of the season.”
Norris has narrowed the gap to Piastri to nine points, fueled by three wins in his last four races, setting up an intense internal battle for the team‘s top driver role.
McLaren’s Future Prospects Against Verstappen’s Legacy
The competitive landscape of Formula 1 appears set for significant change as McLaren strengthens its position against Red Bull. With Norris asserting McLaren’s advantages in team stability and car performance, the 2025 season is shaping up to be a critical period for the team’s ambitions.
Verstappen, while still a formidable competitor, faces mounting pressure from both his rival team and emerging McLaren talent, including Oscar Piastri. This evolving rivalry could mark the beginning of a new era at the top of the sport, challenging Verstappen’s dominance and potentially crowning a new World Champion.
