As the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds, McLaren’s Lando Norris has candidly addressed the team’s ongoing challenges in matching Red Bull’s performance. Despite McLaren’s strong showing in the previous season, Norris acknowledges that the team faces hurdles in maintaining their competitive edge against the reigning champions.
During pre-season testing in Bahrain, Norris expressed concerns about the MCL39’s rear-end stability, noting that the car feels similar to its predecessor but still requires improvements. He stated, “We’ve struggled a bit more with the rear than what we would have liked,” highlighting the need for enhanced rear grip to bolster overall performance .
Norris also pointed out that the 2025 McLaren doesn’t align well with his driving style, making it challenging to extract optimal performance. He remarked, “I’m not able to do any of the laps like I was doing last season… I could not have felt more opposite so far,” indicating a disconnect between the car’s behavior and his driving approach .
Red Bull, on the other hand, has capitalized on McLaren’s internal dynamics, particularly the intense competition between Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, emphasized the risks of such intra-team rivalries, suggesting that they could lead to lost points—a scenario Red Bull aims to exploit .
Despite these challenges, Norris remains optimistic about McLaren’s prospects. He has emphasized the importance of starting the season strongly and maintaining focus, stating, “We’re still here because we want to win… We have to look at ourselves and work on ourselves. That’s it. Keep it simple, and don’t overcomplicate it” .
As the season progresses, McLaren’s ability to address these weaknesses and adapt to the evolving competitive landscape will be crucial. With teams like Red Bull continually pushing the envelope, McLaren’s response will determine their standing in the championship race.