Lando Norris has pushed back against claims that the 2025 Formula 1 championship battle is only between himself and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, describing such ideas as “a bit silly.” Although Norris trails Piastri by just three points in the standings, he stressed that it is too soon to dismiss Max Verstappen or Ferrari’s chances in the title race.
Max Verstappen remains the only driver outside McLaren to have won a race this season, successfully holding off both McLaren drivers at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. He later outpaced Norris and Piastri at Imola to claim his second victory of the year. With a substantial part of the season still ahead, Norris emphasized that the championship fight involves more than just the two McLaren drivers.
Norris Highlights the Full Grid’s Title Potential
Speaking at the FIA press conference in Barcelona, Norris explained how he approaches his position in the championship.
“It’s a great feeling to be in the lead of the championship and to have more points than everyone but again it’s not something I look at or something that changes anything I do day to day or change how hard I work or try to achieve,”
he said.
He added that his focus remains on winning each race individually rather than on standings.
“I just try to win this weekend, and try to win in Montreal and try to win in Austria. It’s got nothing to do with what position that I am in. And no, mathematically, there’s still probably the whole grid that can win the championship at the minute.”
Norris was clear in rejecting the notion of a two-driver contest between himself and Piastri:
“If you think it’s just out of me and Oscar then you’re a bit silly. There’s plenty of opportunities. Max can still win. I think Ferrari… they’re Ferrari. I expect them to get better through the season. I mean, come on. We’re racing Max every weekend. He’s been on the podiums several times.”
He further emphasized Verstappen’s strong performance, stating,
“He’s won races. He beats us at Imola fair and square because he was quicker. I don’t know what possibly makes you think it’s only out of me and Oscar.”
Technical Changes Could Shift Competitive Balance
The Spanish Grand Prix represents a crucial stage in the 2025 F1 championship as the FIA implements stricter regulations on flexible front wings through a new technical directive. This change aims to prevent aerodynamic advantages caused by wing flex during races.
Norris has downplayed worries that this crackdown will jeopardize McLaren’s competitive edge throughout the season. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz estimates that teams might lose around 0.1 seconds on lap times due to these technical adjustments. Given that only 25 points separate Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen at the top of the standings, even minor performance shifts could prove decisive in the ongoing drivers’ title battle.
Championship Intensity Set to Continue
The 2025 F1 season remains highly competitive with multiple drivers in contention, reflecting a dynamic and challenging title fight. Norris’s ongoing rivalry with Piastri is just part of a broader contest that includes key figures like Verstappen and Ferrari contenders. As teams adapt to updated rules and prepare for upcoming races in Montreal and Austria, the championship outlook remains open, with no clear favorite at this stage.