In a surprising revelation, Lando Norris, the victor at the Australian Grand Prix, has expressed his belief that competitors were overly credited for their performances. The racing prodigy’s comments come despite his acknowledgement that McLaren’s MCL39 is, albeit slightly, the speediest vehicle in the 2025 F1 season.
McLaren’s new innovation for the season has been lauded by critics and fans alike, with many anticipating a dominant performance from the team based on their pre-season testing in Bahrain. The team had shown an impressive performance, especially during the race runs, making them a favourite for many to clinch the titles.
However, the Australian Grand Prix revealed another facet of McLaren’s prowess. Norris and his team-mate, Oscar Piastri, demonstrated a formidable one-lap pace, with Norris clinching the pole position, leaving an almost four-tenths gap to the nearest non-McLaren competitor, Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
Norris’ victory was not without its share of drama, as he had to fend off intense pressure from Verstappen in a race impacted by rain. The triumph kick-started his season and title challenge on a high note.
Yet, Norris is eager to set the record straight. He believes that the media’s focus on the McLaren MCL39 is misplaced. He asserts that the car, while superior, is not the sole reason behind their victory. He suggests that their competitors need to take a closer look at their own performances, as he believes they fell short of the mark.
Norris and Piastri, he says, had performed exceptionally well and he does not shy away from admitting that McLaren’s vehicle offers them a slight advantage. However, he is quick to point out that a good car is not the sole determinant of a race’s outcome.
According to him, their victory was a result of sound team decisions, something they had struggled with in the past. He acknowledges the team’s hard work during the off-season and credits them for their preparedness for the race day.
Norris, ever the critic, also addressed the media’s portrayal of McLaren’s performance. He refutes the claim that they were the fastest over one lap during the Bahrain testing. He admits that despite their high-fuel pace, they faced difficulties on low fuel.
He candidly states that even at their best, they might not have been the fastest. He admits that there is room for improvement and asserts that a race in Bahrain might not yield a victory.
However, Norris exudes confidence when talking about the upcoming race in China. He believes that despite having a less than optimal car the previous year, they will perform strongly in the forthcoming race.
In summary, Norris’ candid analysis of McLaren’s performance and the state of the competition provides a refreshing perspective on the dynamics of the F1 racing scene. His insights serve as a reminder that the ultimate victory in racing is not just about having the fastest car, but also about making the right decisions and performing at the highest level.