Norris opens up about struggles amid McLaren’s title charge
Despite leading one of the strongest championship campaigns of his Formula 1 career, Lando Norris has offered an unexpectedly candid assessment of his 2025 season. The McLaren driver, who currently finds himself in the thick of the title fight, admits he’s far from satisfied with his personal performance.
In a season where McLaren has surged to the top of the Constructors’ Championship and currently boasts the top two spots in the Drivers’ standings, one might assume that things couldn’t be better for Lando Norris. However, beneath the surface of this success lies a growing sense of unease for the British star.
“This year is harder than last year, because I don’t feel like I’m getting the best out of myself,” Lando Norris confesses, setting the tone for a surprisingly introspective discussion about expectations, performance, and the relentless demands of elite motorsport.
Strong team, personal doubts
McLaren’s 2025 MCL39 has proven itself to be one of the most competitive machines on the grid. Balanced, fast, and consistent, it has allowed both Lando Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri to shine. Their synergy has contributed to McLaren’s dominant position in the standings—but Lando Norris reveals there’s more going on behind the scenes.
“Having a teammate like Oscar is always a good thing. It means a stronger team, better collaboration. If you have a good teammate, they make you better too,” Lando Norris says.
Yet, the compliments quickly turn inward as he reflects on his own trajectory: “Oscar is doing a very good job, but I’m still focused on myself. Yes, he’s strong, but I still don’t feel like I’m extracting everything I can.”
This isn’t a case of rivalry gone sour. Lando Norris makes it clear that the healthy competition between him and Piastri is part of what makes them work so well as a unit. “Even if I was racing alone, I wouldn’t be satisfied. We push each other in every session—practice, qualifying, the race. There’s real competition between us, and that’s what makes us good teammates.”
No excuses, but not without reasons
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, every driver must adapt to machinery that doesn’t always suit their natural style. Lando Norris is aware of this, and refuses to let it serve as a crutch.
“Every driver has their own driving style. But I’m not one to make excuses. My job is to race whatever car I’m given.”
Still, he allows for nuance in his assessment.
“I’m not hiding behind excuses, but sometimes there are reasons. In the end, I just want to drive at my best.”
This brutal honesty underscores the emotional and mental toll of elite sport. Lando Norris admits that he’s had highs and lows throughout the season. “Some days I struggle, some days I perform better. But no driver is ever completely satisfied. I’m still trying to improve myself. We’re still trying to develop the car—even when we’re winning or finishing second, even when we’re dominating, we’re always pushing to be better.”
A tough season mentally, not just physically
What separates 2025 from previous seasons for Lando Norris isn’t just the results—it’s how those results feel.
“Sometimes we leave the garage and there’s this sense of dissatisfaction. We think: we should have done more, we wanted more.”
This inner discontent is what makes the current season harder than last year, says Lando Norris.
“That’s why this year is tougher—because that feeling, that drive for more, stops me from feeling like I’m reaching my full potential.”
Even with strong finishes and a potentially championship-winning campaign, Lando Norris feels the tug of what could be. It’s the classic high-performer dilemma: being surrounded by success while personally feeling just shy of where one wants to be.
“I still need more from the car—and I know that at certain moments, I also need to do a better job.”
Looking ahead with determination
As McLaren continues to impress and the title race intensifies, Lando Norris finds himself at a crossroads of confidence and introspection. His words reveal a maturity that extends far beyond podium celebrations. He understands that being in contention isn’t the same as being content.
With a few rounds left and the championship far from decided, Lando Norris has made it clear that he’s not just racing the competition—he’s racing himself.
And sometimes, that’s the toughest race of all.
