Lando Norris, the championship leader in Formula 1, shared his excitement ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Speaking about McLaren’s strong performance this season, Norris said it was “our turn” to have the best car. He believes McLaren is now faster than any other team on the grid.
McLaren’s Success So Far in 2025
So far this season, McLaren has been a dominant force. Norris won the Australian Grand Prix, and his teammate Oscar Piastri took the victory in China, leading a one-two finish for the team. This strong performance shows that McLaren is now at the top of the sport, challenging Red Bull’s dominance.
Norris Talks About Red Bull’s Reign and McLaren’s Rise
Norris expressed confidence in McLaren’s position, saying it’s their time to shine. He acknowledged that Max Verstappen, the reigning champion from Red Bull, had dominated F1 for the last four seasons. But now, Norris feels it’s McLaren’s chance to prove they are the best.
“Do I agree we have the best car? Yes, and it’s nice to say that,” said Norris, who has never won the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Championship Standings
Lando Norris currently leads the drivers’ championship, just eight points ahead of Verstappen. His teammate Piastri is in fourth place, behind George Russell from Mercedes. This shows McLaren’s strong position in both the individual and team standings.
No Driver Changes for McLaren
Unlike other teams, McLaren didn’t make any driver changes this season. Norris and Piastri continue to race for the team, and Norris believes this consistency gives McLaren an edge.
The Strong Team Chemistry at McLaren
Norris emphasized the strong working relationship between him and Piastri, stating it’s a key advantage over their rivals. He believes their teamwork allows them to push each other to perform better than any other driver pairing on the grid.
“We push each other and get more out of one another as two drivers,” Norris said, “I also agree we’re better than any other team.”
Verstappen’s Dominance in Japan
Max Verstappen has won the Japanese Grand Prix three years in a row. Last year, he and his teammate Sergio Perez finished in a one-two result for Red Bull. Norris looks forward to the challenge of taking on Verstappen and Red Bull at Suzuka.
McLaren’s Progress Compared to Last Year
Looking back to the previous year, Norris noted how far McLaren has come. Red Bull was much faster and had a clear advantage, but now McLaren is closing the gap. Norris is confident that McLaren’s hard work is paying off.
“The fact that they had two drivers up there, dominating, they were a lot further ahead than we are now,” Norris explained.
More Attention on McLaren Now
McLaren is now getting more attention from fans and the media due to their impressive performances. Norris believes the team is doing a great job, and it’s clear that McLaren is now a major contender in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
