McLaren’s Andrea Stella has made it clear—Lando Norris has already proven he can go toe-to-toe with Max Verstappen. Now, it’s up to the team to deliver a car capable of taking the fight from day one in 2025.
The 2024 Formula 1 season started as a Red Bull masterclass, with Verstappen winning seven of the first 10 races. But when McLaren unlocked the true potential of their MCL38 in Miami, Norris didn’t just close the gap—he went to war with Verstappen.
With McLaren’s 2025 challenger now unveiled, Stella insists that Norris has all the qualities of a world champion. The missing piece? A car that can hit the ground running from Round 1.
The Turning Point: When Norris Became Verstappen’s Equal
Stella broke down McLaren’s two biggest takeaways from 2024—and at the top of the list was the slow start that cost Norris a real title shot.
“The main deficit of points in the championship between Lando and Max was accumulated at the start of the season,” Stella said at McLaren’s 2025 car launch.
“If we go back to Bahrain, we were probably the fourth-best car at the time, until we upgraded in Miami.”
But once the MCL38 was finally on Verstappen’s level, Norris kept pace with the three-time world champion. From Miami onward, Norris and Verstappen scored nearly identical points—a staggering stat that proves the Briton wasn’t just close but matching Verstappen’s dominance.
A Fighter Is Born: Norris Learns How to Beat Verstappen
It wasn’t just about speed—Norris had to learn how to fight Verstappen on track. And Stella believes he did exactly that.
After coming off second best in Austria and Austin, Norris finally turned the tables in Mexico, standing his ground against Verstappen’s aggressive tactics.
“The second takeaway is that I’ve seen Lando grow through the season at a very fast rate,” Stella explained.
“If we take the battles with Max in Austria and Austin, think how much he adapted—by Mexico, he knew exactly what to do.”
The McLaren boss also highlighted how Norris mastered tire management, pointing to his ability to completely change his pace mid-race in Las Vegas—a key skill in any championship campaign.
No More Excuses: McLaren Must Deliver From Race One
While Norris proved he has what it takes, Stella knows the real pressure is now on McLaren.
“We are in a lucky position to have two drivers [Norris and Piastri] that can succeed,” Stella said.
“If anything, the pressure is on the team. We must give them a car that allows them to fight for podiums and wins from the start.”
McLaren can’t afford another slow start like 2024. If they hit the ground running, Stella believes Norris is more than ready to dethrone Verstappen.
The battle lines for 2025 are drawn—and this time, Lando Norris isn’t playing catch-up. He’s coming for the crown.