Lando Norris has set the tone for McLaren's 2025 Formula 1 campaign, declaring that his team has “no excuses” not to compete for glory in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships this year.
After clinching the Constructors’ title last season, the Woking-based outfit is entering the final year of the current regulations as the team to beat in Formula 1.
Speaking at the F1 75 season launch, Norris left no room for doubt: this is McLaren’s time to deliver.
After years of gradual progress, McLaren enters the final season of the current regulations as the benchmark team, armed with an innovative new car, the MCL39.
For Norris, widely tipped as the favorite to win the Drivers’ crown, this season represents a pivotal moment in his career and the team’s trajectory. And the Briton acknowledged the stakes.
“After last year, I think we kind of have no excuses, I guess, [to fight for the title]” Norris admitted.
“In the past, we’ve had our fair share, but honest and true excuses. I think this year, we kind of don’t have anything to hide behind.
“We proved last year we have everything we need and everything it takes to fight at the top and be the best. If we’re not at the beginning of the season, then we’re just not good enough.
“But that’s certainly not how we’re thinking of things, that’s not how our mentality’s been.”
One of the key lessons McLaren learned last year was the importance of starting the season strongly.
A slow start in 2024 hindered Norris’ championship bid, despite the team eventually finding its rhythm.
This time, McLaren has focused on ensuring a smoother launch to the campaign.
“We ended the season, and I guess as we’ve ended the season, our next season has already started,” Norris explained.
“For all the guys and girls back in the factories, giving us a car which can compete… a lot of what Formula 1 is having a car that can compete.”
Norris believes the entire team – from the drivers to the engineers – has shown it is capable of delivering results when the car is competitive.
“I think we both, as drivers, proved a lot last year in ourselves and in each other of what we’re capable of doing,” he said, referring to his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
“And when we do have a car that’s capable of fighting for wins and championships, we’re able to maximise it.
“So I think we’ll probably both say we’re ready and we’re excited for that challenge.
“But we also have a whole team behind us who are also excited; they know they’re capable of making a quick car. So we’re excited for those challenges this season.”
While McLaren is brimming with confidence, Norris emphasized that the team is keeping its expectations grounded, at least publicly.
The days of over-promising before pre-season testing are over, but behind the scenes, optimism is palpable.
“Maybe in the past we got ahead of ourselves at times before pre-season, so we’re definitely not doing that,” he admitted.
“But we’re quietly confident that we can start the season off in the best way, much better than we’ve done over the last six, seven years.”
For McLaren, 2025 represents an unmissable opportunity to cement their dominance.
For Norris, it’s the ultimate chance to secure his first world title and prove that McLaren is back where it belongs – at the very top.
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