After a disappointing P4 result in yesterday’s qualifying for the F1 Imola GP, Norris made strong progress in the race to finish on the second step of the podium.
Through unable to challenge Verstappen, who dominated from the opening lap, Norris was competitive against Russell and Piastri.
A close battle with his teammate
As the safety car triggered by Kimi Antonelli came to an end, Norris was driving in third behind his teammate. Having pitted for fresher tyres, Norris had a strong tyre advantage over the Australian.
Though on newer tyres than his teammate, Norris denied that team orders were given for Piastri to let him through. Although Norris had this advantage, Piastri did not give the place up easily. The McLaren drivers got very close, leaving just enough space for each other on the track.
Speaking on the battle, Norris shared that the tyre deficit gave him the edge to help him pass his teammate for P2.
“It was a good battle between us. I was just on the fresher tyres, so I was always going to have that slight advantage on him. And, yeah, just with the DRS, I managed to have a good last couple corners. I knew that was going to be probably my, not my one chance, but you saw once I passed him how easy it was to pull away.
“It was clear he was just struggling with the tyres, which I think everyone did quite a lot of today. It was a close one. I don’t know how close we got into Turn 1, but we’re both racing, we both want to beat one another, and it was good that we could race close like that today.”
McLaren have a strong race car, though not always the easiest to drive
McLaren have undoubtedly built the strongest race car so far this season. Continuing with their strong form from the 2024 season, both drivers have managed to achieve consistently strong results so far in 2025.
Although achieving good results, Norris revealed that the car is not as easy to drive as it may appear.
“It didn’t really feel great anywhere, to be honest. It didn’t feel wonderful to drive. But sometimes it doesn’t, and you’re just quick. So it’s a little bit difficult to say.”
His specific gripe with the car is linked to its approach on high speed corners. For the Imola GP, he struggled with this and also the bumpy nature of the track.
“It’s just a very bumpy track. A lot of these high-speed corners, where we seem to maybe struggle a bit comparing to the Red Bulls. That’s where we’ve suffered the whole season so far, the high-speed corners. So we have to work in that area, and maybe that’s proved to hurt us a little bit more this weekend. But we said it from the beginning that we have to keep working hard.”
Norris has struggled to extract one lap pace so far in qualifying this year. Piastri and Verstappen both have an equal number of three pole positions this season, whereas Norris only has one.
Though Piastri had the fastest pace over one lap in qualifying for the Imola GP, Verstappen had better overall race pace. Norris shared that they were simply unable to match Verstappen in the race.
“Max has outqualified us several times, and their pace just converted today onto Sunday. Sometimes they’ve been ahead, but their pace on Sunday has not been too strong. They’ve maybe worked on some things, and their pace was better today. That’s the price we pay for not being quick enough.”
Unable to challenge Verstappen
Taking and keeping the lead from the first lap of the race, Norris and Piastri were unable to get anywhere close to Verstappen.
Although far from the lead, Norris seemed satisfied with the result of the Imola GP.
“Not easy to overtake, but we did what we could. I think Max drove a good race. They were quick today—probably a bit quicker. We couldn’t keep up, and we had a good little battle at the end between Oscar and myself, which is always tense, but always good fun. But a good race. From us as a team, second and third is great. Of course, we would love to be up there fighting against Max, but they were too good for us today.”
Though no match for Verstappen’s Red Bull, Norris was easily able to challenge Russell’s Mercedes in the race.
Norris explained his perspective on overtaking the fellow Brit for P3.
“It’s with George, and I could tell he was struggling with the tyres a lot. It’s just a situation you got to take advantage of. I mean, it’s always risky. You never want to take too much risk, but we’re also racing. And he’s a fair racer. He’s a good racer. So, some good moves today.”
Matching his own expectations
Starting the Imola GP in P4, the top step of the podium was a big ask for Norris. After the race, he shared his belief that he achieved the best result possible.
“It’s probably the best result I thought we could really achieve today. I probably just didn’t expect the Red Bull to be quite as quick as they were. I’m happy with second. From fourth, it was a good race. But, yeah, Max was too fast today. It was a fun one.”
As the second race of this European triple header soon approaches, Norris was asked how confident he is feeling for racing on the narrow streets of Monaco.
“I’ve not even thought of it yet, to be honest. So, yeah, normal amount. Whatever that is.”
