Norris: “I have more pressure on me to win the championship”

The season of triumph for Norris? After 6 seasons in F1 with McLaren, Lando Norris is now capable of fighting at the front as he showed last season. Despite a rather quiet start to the season (only one podium in the first four races), the British driver took advantage of the upgrades brought by McLaren starting in Miami to enhance his performance and secure his first victories in F1, including the one on the Florida circuit. For the former F2 driver with Carlin, despite losing the title, the year 2024 has brought him a lot, particularly experience in handling important moments.

Confidence gained after a successful 2024 season.

Last year was a great season because I often started in pole position. How do I manage that now? Leading a race, how do I approach this situation? I’ve experienced a bit of everything last year, except leading the championship, which is something I’ve never done before. But I’ve faced Max [Verstappen] and sometimes I’ve won. Sometimes he finished behind me. These kinds of experiences taught me a lot and I think last year prepared me well to enter this season with a lot of calm. I am very relaxed, serene, and I feel more confident than ever, in the best possible way.

Much higher expectations in 2025

Nevertheless, the Briton is aware that expectations will inevitably be higher this season. For the past two seasons, the Woking team has only progressed and even clinched its first constructor’s title since 1998. In 2025, the team will have to do even better, particularly at the start of the season. “We have never started a season well,” said Norris on the show The Fast and The Curious. “This year, it’s the first time we’re arriving saying ‘We did it.’ Now, there is pressure and expectation: ‘You succeeded, now you have to start like you finished.'”

« That is our goal, but it’s complicated. Everyone is trying to improve and change as many things as possible. But we are confident, we have understood many elements, and we absolutely want to start like we finished. » The Briton also wanted to address the many criticisms he faced last year. While he accepts constructive ones, he does not appreciate the false information that was spread against him and McLaren.

« I am completely open to people’s opinions and debates like ‘what if he had done this?’, ‘should he have done it differently?’. I respect these discussions, and many people have the job of analyzing and commenting on these topics. The only thing I don’t respect are those who think they know everything when they are probably not in the situation, not living that moment. And false information. Those things where you wonder ‘How could someone have made that up?’ »

For Norris, being criticized allows him to move forward.

He also admitted that these rumors, although unfounded, had an impact on his mental state, particularly last season when he could play for the title. Once again, we learn to manage these kinds of things, and it’s something that used to affect me much more. I think last year, it got to me. But you have to deal with it and move on, accept that people will criticize or support you. Obviously, it’s always nicer to have support. But I know I’m going to be criticized. I criticize myself constantly. I want my team to criticize me. What I probably hate the most in the world are people who try to make me feel good but in the wrong way. I prefer criticism to false benevolence.

The McLaren driver will have to silence all critics this season. With an increasingly high-performing car, he will undoubtedly be one of the title contenders and one of the drivers to watch in 2025.