Ahead of the F1 Belgian GP, Lando Norris spoke about the key improvements behind his recent form. He emphasised that his progress comes as much from refining his driving style as from car upgrades. The Brit was helped with his feel of their 2025 challenger thanks to a front suspension update, to a degree at least.
The McLaren driver reflected on his focus area and his battle to extract the most from the MCL39 consistently. This comes despite already claiming four victories this season.
Lando Norris on focusing on his driving for Belgian GP and rest of 2025 F1 season
When asked how the work done with his team led to victories at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, the 25-year-old said refining and adapting his driving style was key.
“My driving. Yeah, my driving,” he said. “How I drive the car, my ability to adapt to more driving styles, let’s say. That’s really the main thing, working on how I drive the car.”
He explained that he works closely with his crew to refine his approach on and off the track.
“I have a very good group of people around me, so working on things on the track and off the track, how I can approach the weekends in a better way. But yeah, most of it is how I can work on being a better driver in a situation of struggling with things I don’t like or I’m not used to or change on the car for this year.”
Regaining momentum against Piastri
Norris was then asked if he feels like more of a threat to teammate Oscar Piastri ahead of the Belgian GP following his recent performances. 2 wins from 2 has moved him back to within 8 points of the championship lead.
“I feel like I’ve climbed a little bit back to where I was. I certainly feel happier,” he said. “Austria was a place I felt the happiest, even happier than I was in Silverstone. With the car, with the knowledge where I can push, how I can push and all those things.”
He admitted that his qualifying form at the Red Bull Ring felt like a turning point. Although his Australian teammate never got a second run in Q3, Norris looked unbeatable in qualifying. The Red Bull Ring has always been a very strong track for him.
“A selection of things came together and the place I had then in qualifying was quite easily and most convincingly the best I’ve had all season.”
On whether he now feels more competitive against Piastri, Norris was direct: “I feel more of a threat now, yes.”
Progress beyond race wins
Norris has already stood on the top step of the podium four times this season. However, he believes that the real positive signs come from improved pace and comfort with the car.
Even before his blinder in Canada, his race pace against Oscar Piastri was extremely encouraging for the British driver.
“The most positive thing from those weekends was just that the pace was better from the off and I was more comfortable with the car and in understanding how to get the most pace from it,” he said.
“At times that brings more of a smile to my face than just winning the race itself, because it’s progress, it’s seen progress, and that’s always a very good thing. But I still know that there’s still more I need to get.”
Norris: Still not the level I want to be at
Despite his success, Norris admits he still hasn’t fully reached the performance and comfort level he showed in the MCL38 last season.
“Do I feel as good as I felt last season, and that I’m performing at the same level consistently enough? I would still say no,” he reflected. “I have more understanding of everything now, but it’s still incredibly small gains here and there. But am I happy enough still with where I’m at, where the car is, and my harmony with the car? It’s still not the level that I want.”
