Lando Norris Shuts Down Russell’s Claims:‘Sorry mate, that’s not the right me….read more
Lando Norris has firmly rejected George Russell’s suggestion that McLaren should consider shifting its focus away from the current season to prioritize its 2026 Formula 1 car. Russell’s comments came in the aftermath of McLaren’s commanding display at the Australian Grand Prix, where Norris delivered a standout performance that saw him take pole position and secure a crucial win, propelling McLaren into joint leadership in the Constructors’ Championship alongside Mercedes.
Despite McLaren’s strong start to the 2025 campaign, Norris made it clear that the team is not taking anything for granted and will continue to push hard to develop the MCL39 throughout the season. Russell’s remarks had implied that McLaren’s current form could give them the luxury to pivot early toward preparing for the new regulations set to come into play in 2026. However, Norris was having none of it.
“Sorry mate, that’s not the right me,” Norris quipped when asked about Russell’s suggestion during the post-race press conference. The McLaren driver stressed that the team has no intention of easing off, as they understand how competitive the grid is and how rapidly the pecking order can shift in Formula 1.
The Australian Grand Prix saw McLaren flex its muscles, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri starting from the front row after a dominant qualifying session. Norris capitalized on pole position to take victory, while Piastri’s hopes for a double podium or even a McLaren 1-2 finish were dashed by unpredictable weather conditions that caused chaos mid-race. Still, the result was enough to catapult McLaren into a share of the lead in the Constructors’ standings with Mercedes, both teams sitting on 27 points, while reigning champions Red Bull trailed behind with 18 points.
Russell, speaking to media after the race, acknowledged McLaren’s pace and hinted that such an advantage could give them the option to strategically shift attention to 2026’s sweeping regulation changes. However, Norris pushed back on the idea, pointing to McLaren’s recent history as proof that the team can’t afford to lose focus.
He recalled how, just one year earlier in 2024, McLaren had started the season over half a second slower than Red Bull, only to stage an impressive mid-season recovery that saw them end up with arguably the fastest car on the grid by the closing rounds. “We were over half a second off at the beginning of last year behind Red Bull and ended up with the quickest car,” Norris reminded reporters, highlighting the volatile nature of performance trends in modern F1.
Norris emphasized that McLaren’s current success is a result of relentless effort and improvement, and he reiterated that complacency is not part of the team’s DNA. According to him, McLaren will continue to pour resources into making the MCL39 faster throughout the year, regardless of their early-season momentum. He also acknowledged that with the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari still posing serious threats, McLaren cannot afford to rest on its laurels.
The Melbourne weekend served as a warning shot to rivals, signaling that McLaren is capable of fighting at the sharp end of the grid, but Norris made it clear that one dominant performance doesn’t equate to season-long superiority. He insisted that both he and the team are fully aware that the battle for the 2025 championships will likely be a long and closely contested one.
The win also boosts Norris’s standing in the Drivers’ Championship, positioning him as one of the early contenders for the title. When asked if his victory in Australia and McLaren’s current form made him the favorite for the crown, Norris played it cool, saying it was far too early to make such assumptions. “We’ve seen how quickly things can change,” Norris added, urging caution despite McLaren’s promising start.
As the paddock now turns its attention to the next round, Norris’s comments suggest McLaren will be keeping its foot firmly on the gas in the development race, refusing to be drawn into any early thoughts about 2026. For now, all eyes are on maintaining and extending their early-season success in what promises to be an intense and unpredictable championship fight.
