Lando Norris won his first victory in Miami last year, during the 2024 Formula 1 season.
McLaren pilot since the 2019 season, his ambitions are clear: he wants to become world champion. Former member of the McLaren Junior Drivers program, Norris had so far failed to win despite many opportunities.
In 2024, Norris and McLaren displayed an impressive speed. Woking’s team had finally managed to compete with Red Bull, ending their domination. At one point, Norris even fought against Max Verstappen. Although he did not win the world title, he set a new standard for himself and for the whole paddock for the 2025 season.
However, not everything goes as planned for the Belgo-British pilot. In 2025, Norris won only one of the first six races. He currently occupies second place in the championship, ahead of Max Verstappen. But this year, a major obstacle stands on his way: his teammate Oscar Piastri. With four victories already, Piastri clearly surpasses Norris.
Lando Norris under pressure at McLaren?
There can only be one winner in Formula 1. and, due to the very strict nature of sport, the teams end up favoring a pilot during the season. This pilot receives improvements first and benefits from the best strategies. Fortunately, at McLaren, Zak Brown supports a more open approach and has given the instructions to let the pilots fight.
-At least at the start of the season, Norris therefore had the same chances as Piastri. But it is undeniable that the dynamics have changed. Oscar Piastri displays higher performance. In 2024, McLaren had used team instructions to promote Norris.
Today, the situation puts Piastri in a position of strength. If his advance in the championship continues to grow, McLaren will logically have to favor him. Even if the pressure is not expressed openly, it is very real.
Norris’s lack of confidence does not help. F1 fans also noticed that Max Verstappen adopted a different approach to Norris compared to Piastri. The mind plays a key role in the race. Currently, Norris seems vulnerable to Verstappen and even needed Piastri’s tactical help to beat him in Miami.
How long is Norris left to regain his place?
Reality may be difficult to accept for the Briton. His teammate, younger and less experienced, now has more victories. If their complicity outside the track is real, it does not count in the race. Norris was once the rising star of McLaren, but he does not meet expectations today.
He has time left until the summer break to reverse the trend. He will have to become more fast again than his teammate and win. After summer, each team will introduce improvements. If Norris is still delayed at that time, he could be put aside. McLaren will not take the risk of losing the championship against other stables. After the break, there will be no more room for internal rivalries.
