Lando Norris admits McLaren no longer enjoy the clear performance edge over Red Bull that has defined much of the 2025 season, but insists his team still holds a key advantage in one specific area.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Norris admitted that recent upgrades to Red Bull’s car have made them a formidable threat, with Max Verstappen sweeping the last two races in Monza and in Baku.
Those wins came on low-downforce circuits, but the McLaren charger believes Red Bull’s improved pace makes them “genuinely a challenger” for more victories, including at the demanding Marina Bay Street Circuit.
“If you go back to the beginning of the season, they were challenging the first six, seven races [for] race wins and challenging us in the drivers’ [championship],” said Norris.
“Then we brought some upgrades, improved a little bit. A couple of weeks ago they brought some upgrades and it seems like that’s put them back on the same level as us.”
The Briton predicted Verstappen would be the prime threat again this weekend in Singapore: “We expect battles, especially with him here.”
McLaren’s Edge: Driver Consistency
Despite Red Bull’s gains, Norris remains confident in McLaren’s position, particularly as the team stands on the cusp of securing the constructors’ championship.
The Briton attributes his team’s commanding lead – 333 points over Mercedes ahead of this weekend’s event – to a combination of a competitive car and the reliability of both himself and teammate Oscar Piastri.
“You obviously need the best car,” Norris said. “I think we’ve had that for 95% of the races.”
However, he acknowledged that McLaren hasn’t been flawless.
“There’s been a couple of races where we’ve not had perfect weekends,” he admitted. “In Monza we weren’t quick enough. In Baku I would say we probably should have been and were fast enough but we just didn’t do a very good job.”
“As a constructor, you need two drivers who deliver every weekend, who finish most races, and that’s what we’ve been able to do,” he said.
“There are plenty of other teams with two great drivers but – I kind of hate saying it – but not ones who have delivered every weekend as often as Oscar and myself have done.”
Norris suggested that McLaren’s position at the front of the field makes their task somewhat easier, but their ability to maximize results has been key.
“Until [the last couple of races], we’ve been the best-performing duo as drivers and we’ve clearly had the best car and been the best team,” he added.
Looking Ahead to Singapore
As McLaren prepares for the Singapore Grand Prix, where Norris triumphed last year, the 25-year-old is optimistic about his chances despite the forecast of challenging weather.
“Last year was a very good one here. We were very strong here last year, I had a good race,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed it since my first year in 2019. At the minute it looks like a little bit worse weather than what we’ve had over the last few years. But I’m excited, it’s one of my favourite tracks of the season.”
With Red Bull breathing down their necks, Norris and McLaren face a critical test in Singapore.
While the team remains poised to clinch the constructors’ title, Norris’s comments underscore the intensifying battle with a revitalized Red Bull squad, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend under the Marina Bay lights.
Read also: McLaren’s second shot at Constructors’ glory in Singapore
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