Norris Unfazed as Verstappen Closes In, Maintains Championship Lead Strategy
Lando Norris remains unperturbed by Max Verstappen closing the championship gap, asserting that McLaren has always considered Verstappen a major threat. Despite the Dutchman gaining 25 points after the Las Vegas GP disqualifications, Norris's lead remains 24 points, and he insists their consistent approach to race preparation will not change. The team continues to focus on their own performance and ongoing improvements.
Lando Norris continues to view Max Verstappen as a persistent threat, despite the Red Bull driver closing the gap in the 2025 season standings. Norris, leading the championship, asserts that McLaren's approach remains unchanged, having always considered Verstappen a formidable competitor.
Why it matters:
McLaren's consistent strategy against a formidable rival like Verstappen highlights the intense championship battle in F1. Despite recent gains by Red Bull, Norris's calm demeanor and consistent approach are crucial for maintaining his lead in a highly competitive season, emphasizing the mental fortitude required for a title chase.
The Details:
- Consistent Threat Assessment: Norris told GPblog in Qatar that McLaren has always treated Verstappen as a threat, even when he was further behind in points. This perspective has been a constant in every team briefing and meeting throughout the season.
- Unchanged Approach: The Briton emphasized that nothing changes for him, his engineers, or mechanics. They continue to treat the situation normally, focusing on their own performance rather than reacting to Verstappen's gains.
- Post-Vegas Disqualification: Following the disqualifications of both Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas GP, Verstappen gained 25 points. However, Norris's lead over his closest rival remains 24 points, identical to the gap before the Las Vegas race.
- Team Performance Focus: Norris believes McLaren was still quick in Las Vegas, attributing any performance issues to external factors. He acknowledges Red Bull's recent pace but maintains confidence in McLaren's ability to compete.
- Continuous Improvement: The team is aware of areas needing improvement for both the current and next seasons, treating these as standard operational challenges rather than specific reactions to Red Bull's advances.
What's next:
Norris's consistent mindset suggests McLaren will continue to execute their race-by-race strategy without significant changes despite the tightening championship picture. As the season heads into its final rounds, the focus will remain on maximizing their own performance and mitigating any potential issues, rather than shifting strategies to directly counter Red Bull's momentum. The ongoing battle promises an exciting conclusion to the 2025 F1 season.