Verstappen, Norris, and Leclerc Talk Tough Ahead of 2025 F1 Championship
As the 2025 Formula One season looms, three of the sport’s top drivers have laid down the gauntlet in their pursuit of the world title.
Lando Norris, who finished as runner-up in 2024, has made it clear that there will be “no excuses” for him not to fight for the championship this year. After a slow start to his 2024 campaign, Norris finished 63 points behind Max Verstappen, but with the new season underway, McLaren are expected to start strong, making Norris one of the favourites for the title.
“I hope so for sure,” Norris said, speaking to the media about his chances. “After last year, we kind of have no excuses. We’ve proven we have everything we need to fight at the top. If we’re not quick at the start of the season, then we’ve just not done a good enough job. But we’re not thinking like that—we’re ready for the challenge.”
The 24-year-old added that McLaren’s strong end to the 2024 season has already set them up for a competitive 2025, and he is eager to show what he can do with a car capable of winning races and titles.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time World Champion, is focused on securing a fifth straight title in 2025. Verstappen, who won his fourth consecutive championship in 2024, is fully aware that McLaren’s strong form makes them a serious threat.
“We are very experienced, and last year, even when things were tough for us, we still maximised our results. That’s a big strength of our team,” said Verstappen, who became only the fifth driver in F1 history to win four consecutive titles. The Dutch driver will be aiming to match Michael Schumacher’s record of five straight championships if he defends his title successfully.
Red Bull’s dominance continues, but Verstappen remains cautious as pre-season testing in Bahrain approaches, saying, “I don’t know where we are right now. No one does. In a few weeks, we’ll know.”
In the battle for supremacy, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari is also eyeing a chance to close the gap. While he finished third in the standings in 2024, he was much closer to Verstappen than in previous seasons, with just 81 points separating them, compared to a 146-point deficit in 2022.
Leclerc is feeling motivated, especially with the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. “It brings a lot of motivation to the team,” Leclerc said. “Having a driver like Lewis join us gives everyone a boost. We all want to make that story as successful as possible, and I want to contribute to that success.”
The 26-year-old Monégasque driver sees Hamilton as both a source of inspiration and a challenge. “I’m going to learn from one of the best ever, but it’s also a great opportunity for me to show what I can do against such an incredible driver.”
As the countdown to the Australian Grand Prix on March 16 begins, all eyes will be on Verstappen, Norris, and Leclerc as they battle it out for the 2025 Formula One World Championship.
