Mercedes’ George Russell has thrown his weight behind McLaren, forecasting a highly promising performance for the team in the 2025 F1 season. His prediction mirrors the optimistic sentiments shared by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who has hinted at a significant increase in lap time with the newly launched MCL39 car.
Last season, McLaren made history by securing their first Constructors’ Championship in over two decades, edging out Ferrari by 14 points. The victory was a bitter pill to swallow for previous champions Red Bull, who found themselves relegated to an underwhelming third place.
Despite possessing a superior car for a substantial part of the last season, Norris was unsuccessful in stopping Max Verstappen from bagging his fourth consecutive Drivers’ title, finishing 63 points behind the Red Bull ace. The uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s current standing was evident when Verstappen, during the RB21’s shake-down on Tuesday, admitted to not having a precise target for the 2025 F1 season.
McLaren, who have historically preferred to keep expectations in check, had previously admitted to falling short of development targets over the winter during the launch of their 2023 and 2024 cars. However, the unveiling of their 2025 car marked a noticeable shift in their approach. The team unabashedly labeled the MCL39 as a potential ‘title challenger’ right from the get-go.
McLaren’s chief executive, Zak Brown, reaffirmed this confidence by stating that the team’s goal is to “bring both Championships back to Woking”, referencing the significant performance improvements since the previous year’s end.
Russell, while participating in the pre-season testing in Bahrain, projected McLaren as the top contender for the 2025 F1 season. He shared that Norris had given him the inside scoop about McLaren’s considerable advances with the MCL39.
In his forecast for the upcoming season, Russell shared, “I believe McLaren are poised for a powerful performance. Lando mentioned significant improvements made over the winter, and he appears quite confident”.
The press conference also included Esteban Ocon (Haas), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), each sharing their predictions for F1 2025. Gasly expressed his wish for a third team to join the championship race, while Ocon hoped for a tight competition throughout the field. Stroll summed up the sentiments, expressing the universal desire for a close, fun, and exciting season.
As the anticipation for the 2025 F1 season builds, McLaren’s competitors and fans alike are intrigued by the team’s renewed confidence. The unveiling of the MCL39 car, coupled with Norris’ revelations and Russell’s endorsement, has set the stage for a riveting championship.