I don’t think in any way we’re superior’ – Norris plays down McLaren advantage as he predict….read more
Lando Norris has downplayed suggestions that McLaren is in a superior position ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, despite a strong showing in pre-season testing. The British driver, who is gearing up for the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park, emphasized that while the team’s performance during testing in Bahrain had garnered attention, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have a clear advantage over their rivals.
Norris expressed his excitement for the season opener but tempered expectations, describing the upcoming weekend as potentially challenging for McLaren. He stated, “I’m happy, I’m excited to get going. I’m relaxed, which is probably the best thing of all. I feel calm, I feel ready to go,” but quickly clarified that his sense of calm shouldn’t be mistaken for overconfidence. The 25-year-old acknowledged that while McLaren appears to have a strong car, they are not under the illusion of being the frontrunners in the championship race.
“There’s obviously been a lot of talk and a lot of things said over the past couple of weeks, but I really don’t think we’re any further ahead of our competitors than we were last season or than people think we are,” Norris explained. He added that despite McLaren’s promising performance in Bahrain, he still expects a tough weekend in Melbourne, with fierce competition from other teams. “I still think it’s going to be a tough weekend for us, and we’re going to be fighting everyone,” Norris continued, but also noted that McLaren is in a good position to begin the season with confidence.
When asked about other teams’ comments on McLaren’s strong testing performance, Norris was candid in his response, suggesting that some might be engaging in mind games. “I don’t know, I don’t know what they’re doing! They like a chat, that’s for sure!” Norris remarked, brushing off the speculation. He remained unfazed, insisting that the team would prove their worth in the upcoming race weekend. “Who cares? It doesn’t matter – we’ll see tomorrow, we’ll see in the next few days,” he said.
Although the Woking-based team had a strong test in Bahrain, Norris emphasized that McLaren isn’t convinced they are faster than their competitors, particularly in low-fuel runs, where teams often conceal their true pace. “I also heard a lot of things about how much other people have been hiding and not showing,” he said. Despite the hype surrounding McLaren, Norris insisted that the team is taking a grounded approach, with no changes to their internal mindset. “The narrative may be in one direction at the moment, but from our side, nothing has changed,” he concluded.
With a calm but cautious outlook, Norris is ready to face the challenges of the season ahead, confident in McLaren’s abilities but aware of the tough competition that lies ahead.
