The Silence Before the Storm
What Formula 1 drivers and their team bosses are not saying at this time of year can often be more revealing than their words. As we stand on the brink of what is predicted to be one of the most competitive and closely-fought seasons in recent history, it’s essential to pay attention to the underlying messages from the likely contenders. The winter of 2024 has been a period of intense preparation and speculation, and McLaren, having gone first in a year where launches were supposed to be a thing of the past, has been vocal about its ambitions for 2025. However, the real insights lie in what is left unsaid, particularly as the opposition prepares to unveil their strategies and vehicles.
McLaren’s Confidence and Targets
McLaren has breathed a lot of confidence into the 2025 pre-season, with team principal Andrea Stella and driver Oscar Piastri discussing their obvious respective personal targets of defending the constructors’ title and mounting a first quest for the drivers’ championship. The launch of the MCL39 at Silverstone, despite the freezing conditions, was a testament to the team’s resolve and dedication. Stella’s optimism is palpable, and Piastri’s unwavering focus on the championship is a clear indication of the team’s high ambitions. However, while the team’s aspirations are clear, the path to achieving them is fraught with challenges, especially in a season expected to be dominated by multiple strong contenders.
The Challenge of Defeating Max Verstappen
Lando Norris, McLaren’s other front-runner, is already dealing with the high-profile and distinct challenge of finally defeating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. From the way he responded during the Silverstone filming day, Norris indicated that he’s anticipating the coming campaign to be, in many respects, a repeat of last year. He recognizes that to beat Verstappen, who is known for his aggressive driving and exceptional speed, he must be prepared to match his intensity.
“I need to get my elbows out and I need to show that I’m not going to willingly give him any positions,” Norris stated. However, he also emphasized the importance of being a smart driver. "You have to be a smart driver to go up against Max. At the same time, I want to say I don’t need to go out and just prove something to him. I don’t need to take any unnecessary risks and don’t need to go down trying, necessarily. I just keep focusing on myself. I don’t think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max. He’s quick, he’s aggressive, he’s one of the best ever."
The Strategy of Smart Driving
Norris’s approach to taking on Verstappen is a blend of aggression and caution. While he acknowledges the need to be assertive on the track, he also understands that constant crashes are not the path to success. The points may be level when the season starts in Melbourne, but in a closely-run championship, every point lost can be a deficit that is difficult to recover. Norris’s experience in the latter part of 2024, where he found himself chasing Verstappen from a significant deficit, has taught him the importance of a balanced approach.
“With how he drives and the risks that he takes and the aggressiveness that he has, there was almost no way that I could come back from the deficit that I had because there would have been too many scenarios that replicated Mexico or the Red Bull Ring – that kind of thing where we were both out and that benefitted him more than it benefitted me,” Norris reflected. Being the long-shot chaser late last year meant that even any double DNFs in Verstappen-Norris clashes benefitted the Dutchman more due to his lead. Norris realizes that avoiding such scenarios is crucial for his success in 2025.
The Importance of a Strong Start
The pressure on McLaren to start the 2025 season strong is immense. “The main thing is just starting off on the right foot, which changes the mentality of every driver,” explained Norris. He believes that starting the season with a win or a strong performance can significantly alter the dynamics of the championship. “It would be a different mentality of Max if he’s 50 points behind versus 50 points ahead. That’s the biggest key difference. The rest is keep doing what I’m doing.”
Norris’s self-assessment is honest and constructive. He knows he wasn’t at the level he needed to be when he first went into battles with Verstappen, and he takes full responsibility for that. “It hurts. It’s always gonna hurt when you’re mixing it at times and you don’t come out on top. That’s the way it is in life sometimes. As long as I learn and don’t make them multiple times. That’s the way it is. I need to do a better job.”
Looking Forward to a Competitive Season
The 2025 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with multiple teams and drivers vying for the top spots. For McLaren, the combination of Norris’s strategic approach and Piastri’s unwavering determination, backed by the team’s technical prowess and leadership, could be the key to breaking through the dominance of Red Bull and Ferrari. The points reset at the start of the season provides a level playing field, but the true test will be how well each team and driver can capitalize on it.
McLaren’s confidence is evident, but the team’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to start the season strong and maintain a competitive edge throughout. With the opposition still to reveal their full capabilities, the coming months will be crucial for McLaren to fine-tune their strategy and prepare for the intense battles ahead. The fans packed into the O2 arena on Tuesday night were just a taste of the excitement to come, and the freezing conditions at Silverstone a reminder of the challenges that lie in wait. But for Norris and his team, the 2025 season starts with a clear goal: to outperform and outsmart the competition, especially Max Verstappen.
