AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Andrea Stella Declares Lando Norris Is Ready to Take Down Max Verstappen in 2025

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
February 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Verstappen-Norris Rivalry: Fierce on Track, Friendly Off It

Oracle Red Bull racing driver Max Verstappen talks to McLaren Racing driver Lando Norris after the sprint race at the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

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.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Chaos at Daytona: Rudy Fugle Ejected as William Byron Faces Rear-Start Setback!
Motorsports

Chaos at Daytona: Rudy Fugle Ejected as William Byron Faces Rear-Start Setback!

Michael C. Johnson

by Redação
August 23, 2025
Lightning Strikes: NASCAR Daytona Qualifying Canceled, Blaney Claims Pole Position!
Motorsports

Lightning Strikes: NASCAR Daytona Qualifying Canceled, Blaney Claims Pole Position!

Stormy Skies Cancel NASCAR Daytona Qualifying: Blaney Takes Pole Position! In a dramatic turn of events at the NASCAR Cup...

by Carl Harrison
August 23, 2025
Sebastian Vettel Demands F1 Ditch Costly Hybrids for Roaring V10 Engines Revival!
Motorsports

Sebastian Vettel Demands F1 Ditch Costly Hybrids for Roaring V10 Engines Revival!

Sebastian Vettel Demands the Return of Roaring V10 Engines: Is Formula 1 Losing Its Edge? In a fierce critique of...

by Redação
August 22, 2025
McLaren’s Stunning Comeback: Dominating F1 with Unstoppable Force in 2025 Season!
Motorsports

McLaren’s Stunning Comeback: Dominating F1 with Unstoppable Force in 2025 Season!

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - August 3, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris in action...

by Simon Monroy
August 22, 2025

Recent News

Chaos at Daytona: Rudy Fugle Ejected as William Byron Faces Rear-Start Setback!

Chaos at Daytona: Rudy Fugle Ejected as William Byron Faces Rear-Start Setback!

August 23, 2025
Lightning Strikes: NASCAR Daytona Qualifying Canceled, Blaney Claims Pole Position!

Lightning Strikes: NASCAR Daytona Qualifying Canceled, Blaney Claims Pole Position!

August 23, 2025
Sebastian Vettel Demands F1 Ditch Costly Hybrids for Roaring V10 Engines Revival!

Sebastian Vettel Demands F1 Ditch Costly Hybrids for Roaring V10 Engines Revival!

August 22, 2025
McLaren’s Stunning Comeback: Dominating F1 with Unstoppable Force in 2025 Season!

McLaren’s Stunning Comeback: Dominating F1 with Unstoppable Force in 2025 Season!

August 22, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks