Heading into the 2025 F1 Mexico City GP, McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris continues to close in on teammate Oscar Piastri’s championship lead, narrowing the gap to just 14 points. Following his second-place finish at the F1 US GP last weekend, the Briton has built strong momentum and has held the upper hand over Piastri for several rounds now. Speaking in his Thursday print media session, Norris discussed Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s late-season push for their fifth consecutive Drivers’ title and shared about his mindset heading into the final rounds of the 2025 season.
A three-way fight for the drivers’ title
Verstappen has emerged as a serious threat to both McLaren drivers after what initially looked like a two-way fight between Norris and Piastri. Before the summer break, the reigning World Champion trailed the championship leader by more than 100 points. But since then, he has slashed the gap down to just 40 points.
Since his retirement at the Dutch GP—a costly setback that widened the points gap to his teammate—neither Norris nor his teammate have claimed a victory. The Briton acknowledged that he has steadily closed the gap to Piastri and expressed satisfaction with how he has bounced back since then.
“I mean, you know, it’s not like I’ve won in a race since. It’s not like it’s been an easy return to from what it was 30-something points to what it is now, quite a few points to turn around. Especially against, an incredible driver in the same car. So I feel like I’ve been doing a good job from that case.”
Remains focused on himself as Verstappen slowly catches
However, as Verstappen sits 26 points behind in the Drivers’ Standings, Norris remains wary of the Dutchman and his current form. Norris added: “But, of course, there’s another guy who’s been winning the races and he’s been catching up a lot, so. But there’s, yeah, from that side, there’s nothing we could go about it than just be quick. They’ve been very fast. He’s been doing a good job at that. They’ve been all season, you know.”
Norris said Red Bull’s recent form isn’t surprising given Verstappen’s talent and pure speed. While he acknowledged that their rivals have been able to find extra performance, the Briton emphasised that it doesn’t change his approach, as his focus remains on trying to win every weekend.
“He’s [Verstappen] had many pole positions through the whole year. So it’s not like they were ever that bad. He’s had pole positions at almost every single point of the year. So, you know, there’s no surprise that when he just clicks a little bit more, they get the car in a better place. And Max does all he does.”
“But they’re catching up. At the same time, it doesn’t change anything that I do. I try and win the race every weekend. That’s my approach. It has been for a while. And that’s the approach I’ll continue with.”
Verstappen and Red Bull resurgence comes as no surprise to Norris
The 25 year-old explained that he isn’t surprised by Red Bull’s resurgence. He added that once Red Bull addressed their issues, it was only natural for them to regain their speed and edge, similar to the way McLaren has made significant progress over the past few years when it has come to understanding their car.
Norris said: “No. Um, because, what, they won the last four constructors before us.”
“There’s some pretty smart people in the team who have won multiple world championships. And they were never that bad. Like, they were never that far off. They had, you know, certain issues. And as soon as they addressed those issues.”
“So I think from that, I think when you understand where we’ve come from a couple of years ago, we made much bigger steps than what they did to win the championships, you know? So, I think when you know what’s possible from, internally, from my team at McLaren and how, once you kind of start to figure things out and understand things, what kind of differences you can make, that’s the same with them.”
With a world-class team and an exceptional driver like Verstappen, Norris re-emphasised that their performance gains come as no surprise.
“You know, they have an incredible team. Who have won many world championships. An incredible driver. And when you put things together, you cannot be surprised, especially when you live in a world that is it.”
“So when, you know, I think when you know everything that goes on and when you understand how, the aerodynamics work with the car and all these things, it’s quite the opposite of a surprise also.”
Different approach to championship fight in 2025
Reflecting on the championship situation he was in this time last year, Norris noted that both his approach and strategies have changed since then. He explained that success often comes down to the subtle decisions that can make the difference between winning or not on any given weekend.
“I mean, I think it’s still a very different position to what I was in last year, yeah. I think also the, the approach from the other guys is also quite different this year compared to what it was last year. Therefore my approach is different, but, I don’t know.”
“I think it’s the more subtle things that probably you learn and that you can use. I would say it’s things that make you win one weekend or not for last year, but it’s you know, small decisions that you make here or there, whether it’s with a setup or strategy or yeah, attacking into one or defending, like little things that might help, might not.”
Norris added: “But I wouldn’t say it’s like what I know now would have won me more things last year versus, I don’t think that’s the case. But, more subtle background things, mental things that just help you perform a bit more consistently, I would say.”
Championship hopes still very much alive
“I mean, certainly, I certainly believe I can and do a much better chance this year than last year, 100%.”, Norris said.
He admitted that while he has more confidence in his own performance compared to last season, he recognises the challenge remains immense, as time is slowly running out. Facing a four-time World Champion who has continued to improve, and an extremely consistent and strong teammate who has proven his worth, he expects nothing less than intense battles at the top.
“But yeah, you know as a driver, I have more confidence in what I did last season but it doesn’t mean I have a much better chance. Yeah, I’m against a driver who’s improved a massive bit from his second season to his third. I’m against a four-time world champion, so, you know, the difference is at the same time, I’m against the best drivers in the world, so I don’t expect anything but, top battles.”
