The 2024 Formula 1 season delivered a shocking power shift, with McLaren dethroning Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship while Lando Norris emerged as a legitimate title threat. But despite Norris falling short against Max Verstappen, Christian Horner believes McLaren will be even more dangerous in 2025—and Red Bull needs to be ready.
McLaren’s 2024 Rise: From Underdogs to Champions
Few could have predicted McLaren’s meteoric rise in 2024. While Red Bull stumbled with development issues, McLaren capitalized on superior race pace and a perfectly balanced car to dominate the season’s second half.
Although Norris failed to secure the Drivers’ Championship, McLaren’s overall strength was undeniable, making them the team to watch in 2025.
“I think, when you reflect on it, they missed a lot of opportunities on the driver’s side [last] year. They had two competitive drivers, which was strong for them in the Constructors’,” Horner said.
Norris: Learning from Missed Opportunities
At one point in 2024, Norris looked poised to dethrone Verstappen, but small mistakes and Verstappen’s consistency ultimately cost him the title.
Horner believes Norris will take those lessons to heart and come back even hungrier for redemption in 2025.
“I’m sure Lando will look back and think three or four wins from this campaign, with the car that he had at many races, is probably less than they could have. But I’m sure they’ll come back. They’ll learn from that, for sure.”
Horner’s Confidence in Red Bull’s DNA
Despite McLaren’s dominance in 2024, Horner remains confident that Red Bull can strike back.
The team’s championship-winning mentality—built over nearly two decades of success—is what Horner believes gives them the edge in F1’s most competitive era yet.
“I think that’s always been the strength of this team – that we are an out-and-out race team. That’s always been a part of the philosophy that I’ve instilled since the very beginning.”
“We went through some hardened years from 2010 to ’13, and then we went through difficult years from ’14 onwards, but we were still winning races when the occasion allowed.”
2025: Verstappen vs. Norris, Round 2?
With McLaren, Red Bull, and possibly Mercedes and Ferrari all in the hunt, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years.
The battle between Norris and Verstappen could become the defining rivalry of this generation, and with Norris hungrier than ever, Red Bull can’t afford any more missteps.
Will Verstappen defend his crown, or will McLaren’s resurgence continue with Norris finally securing his first F1 title?
Buckle up—2025 is going to be a wild ride.