Lando Norris, the Formula One leader from McLaren, made headlines this week by stating that the new rear wing tests introduced for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix are not aimed at his team. The FIA announced tougher tests following Norris's impressive victory at the season opener in Australia on March 16, where he secured pole and also set the fastest lap of the race. In the lead-up to the Grand Prix in Shanghai, the young Briton, who has positioned himself as a championship favorite, remains confident about McLaren's performance amid concerns surrounding these regulations.
Norris emphasized, "We don’t have to change anything" regarding the car's setup. He hailed the team's car as "probably too good" and believed that the tests were primarily directed at other competitors. “It seems it’s directed at other teams, which probably means we need to push it a little bit more,” he added, showcasing his determination to remain at the top of his game.
After spending a few days in Taiwan following his victory, Norris reflected on the challenges of driving his car, which he described as tricky, particularly in wet conditions. Meanwhile, his teammate, Oscar Piastri, aims to bounce back after a late spin cost him a podium finish in the previous race. Piastri stated he intends to approach the remainder of the season with the same attacking mentality he displayed in Australia.
As the first sprint race of the season unfolds on March 22, Norris maintains his focus, despite dominating the early stages of the season. He brushed off comments from his rival, George Russell, who claimed that McLaren could dominate every race this year. Norris rebutted these assertions, suggesting Russell was attempting to play mind games. “I thought he was a bit smarter than that, but clearly not,” Norris quipped, underscoring that while he feels they have a fast car, he doesn’t consider McLaren’s performance to be a runaway dominance.
During the sprint qualifying session, Norris encountered difficulties, finishing the race in sixth after a series of mistakes in critical laps. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed the front row, while Norris, who had highlighted McLaren as the favorites for qualifying, expressed his dissatisfaction with his performance. "I made a mistake. I locked up in the last corner," he said, confirming that the McLaren is still an overall strong contender but added, “We just struggled a bit more now, just not quick enough.”
Norris had also spoken earlier about navigating the challenges posed by the car's characteristics, which have made it challenging to drive to its limits. He admitted that despite McLaren's overall competitive gains, the 2025 Formula 1 car doesn’t suit his natural driving style. The MCL39 model draws attention as the benchmark on the grid, yet Norris recognizes the need for adaptation. Reflecting on this, he stated, “I’ve got to a point where I’ve just accepted that you can’t have really a car that suits your driving.”
The British driver acknowledged that McLaren's choices in car design, while beneficial in terms of pace, sometimes demand compromises that make it difficult for him to execute his preferred driving style, particularly on entries to corners. Norris remarked, “It’s very weak from that point of view. So not what I like, but at the same time, some of it is down to the adaptation of needing to change a little bit my driving styles every year.”
While these adjustments have been demanding, Norris expressed confidence in McLaren’s capability to remain competitive. He concluded, “The car can still win races. It’s not like if I don’t have what I need, it’s bad. I can still get the most out of the car if I don’t have what I want.”
The mixture of confidence and humility accompanied Norris's outlook as he steps into the upcoming races. As he faces fierce competition from his rivals at Ferrari and Red Bull, notably in circumstances where weather conditions play a role, he acknowledges his team’s forward momentum, despite setbacks in qualifying at the sprint race. His past performance shows promise, having finished second to Verstappen in China last year. Norris aims to claim victory not only for the race but to bolster his position in the championship as the season progresses.
Fans and experts alike are watching closely to see whether Lando Norris can translate McLaren's potential into success on the track as the season unfolds. The tension will be palpable in Shanghai, where Norris will strive to continue his winning ways amidst challenges on and off the track.
