Lando Norris Warns F1 Rivals: ‘They’ll Make Our Race Tough’

Lando Norris expects Red Bull to remain McLaren’s primary threat across 2025, following a bruising Azerbaijan Grand Prix that resets momentum in the title fight.

McLaren wins 12 of 17 races, yet Red Bull rebounds with consecutive victories at Monza and Baku, underlining enduring pace and operational sharpness.

In Baku, Oscar Piastri crashes on lap one, while Norris salvages seventh. Max Verstappen controls the race to claim his fourth win of the season.

Norris accepts Verstappen’s speed is a season-long constant, noting the Dutchman nearly won the opener and featured strongly in the second round’s sprint.

He adds Red Bull’s Monza upgrade package restores efficiency and straight-line performance, so recent gains are unsurprising.

Norris labels Red Bull “incredibly strong” and places Verstappen among the best in Formula 1 history, framing the challenge as relentless across circuits and conditions.

He reports following Yuki Tsunoda’s RB in traffic exposes areas where the Red Bull camp holds an edge, informing McLaren’s development priorities.

McLaren struggles for outright pace at Monza and Baku, particularly over long runs. Understanding why Red Bull is quicker in key phases becomes the focus.

The points picture remains favorable for McLaren. Oscar Piastri leads with 324, Norris follows on 299, and the team tops the constructors on 623.

Red Bull sits fourth on 272. Verstappen’s haul narrows margins but demands sustained gains through the next events.

Attention now turns to Singapore, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas, a varied run that tests efficiency, ride, and tyre management.

McLaren targets consolidation, while Red Bull chases repeat execution of the Monza-Baku step. Regulatory and 2026 power-unit planning also shape development choices.

For fans and strategists alike, every point matters as the championship narrative evolves across continents and layouts.

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