Lando Norris: McLaren Anxious About Possible Title Fight with…read more
Lando Norris: McLaren Anxious About Possible Title Fight with…read more
Lando Norris has admitted that McLaren could be “nervous” about the possibility of a championship battle between himself and teammate Oscar Piastri as both drivers emerge as early contenders for the 2025 Formula 1 title.
McLaren has enjoyed a strong start to the season, with Norris and Piastri each securing a victory in the opening two races. The British team currently leads the pack, aiming to deliver its first drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008.
Norris: “We’re Excited, but Also Nervous”
Speaking after the Chinese Grand Prix, where Piastri claimed victory, Norris acknowledged that while McLaren is prepared for an intra-team rivalry, managing the situation won’t be without challenges.
“We were free to race in Australia and here in China, so I’m sure we are going to have some closer racing at some point,” Norris said. “We’re both excited—probably nervous and excited at the same time as I’m sure the team will be. But we’re ready.”
Norris, who currently leads the championship by eight points over Max Verstappen and ten ahead of Piastri, emphasized that their competition is pushing the team forward.
“Apart from Ferrari [Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc], I don’t think any other team has two drivers who push each other as much as we do. That’s a huge advantage for us,” he added.
“At the same time, we know that as much as we work together and enjoy ourselves, we both want to win and prove who is best. That’s just the reality of being competitors.”
McLaren Confident in Managing the Rivalry
The dynamic between title-challenging teammates has historically caused tension, most notably at Mercedes when Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s relationship turned toxic between 2014 and 2016.
However, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella is confident that Norris and Piastri’s battle won’t spiral out of control.
“We have been preparing for this kind of internal competition for a long time,” Stella explained. “But in Formula 1, it would be arrogant to say, ‘Oh, now we are ready.’ You learn as things unfold because situations are always different.”
Stella believes McLaren’s team-first approach, along with the drivers’ mutual respect, will keep tensions in check.
“For me, what’s important is that the values and principles of the team remain strong. We’re very fortunate with Oscar and Lando because they naturally respect those values,” he said.
“There will be situations to manage, but we will learn and grow from them while ensuring the team’s best interests come first.”
With the next race in Japan approaching, all eyes will be on McLaren to see how they handle the growing rivalry between their two title contenders.
