Singapore GP: Lando Norris is aiming for a victory at the 18th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season aboard his MCL39. To achieve this, he will need to overcome a strong Max Verstappen, but more importantly, his teammate Oscar Piastri, who currently leads the drivers’ championship by 25 points. The British driver knows that success requires focus and precision in optimizing the car’s performance on a circuit that, compared to the last two races, finally suits the characteristics of the McLaren.
Norris’s moment of realization
The twenty-five-year-old has acknowledged that McLaren no longer holds the clear advantage over Red Bull that it enjoyed during the early stages of the season. The dominance that seemed a given at the season opener has been tempered by the performance improvements introduced by the Milton Keynes team, particularly after Red Bull implemented updates to the floor and front wing of their car.
Reflecting on the beginning of the season, Norris noted that the RB21 was capable of competing for wins in the first six or seven races, positioning Max Verstappen as a direct rival in the fight for the drivers’ title. However, the British driver explained that the step forward made by the McLaren team allowed them to regain competitiveness, extending their lead over the Austrian squad in both the constructors’ and drivers’ standings.
Yet, in the last two races held on low-downforce circuits, the RB21 has been particularly comfortable. For this reason, Lando Norris recognizes that the reigning world champion now represents a genuine contender for additional victories in the remaining rounds of the season. And he cannot be wrong, as Max Verstappen’s immense talent and determination will push him to cross the finish line ahead of the MCL39s whenever possible.
Verstappen won’t give up, Norris knows it well
Looking ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix, the British driver expects Verstappen to be the primary rival throughout the weekend. He anticipates a series of intense duels, with the Dutch driver ready to make his presence felt at every single corner. Meanwhile, McLaren arrives at Marina Bay with genuine prospects of clinching the constructors’ championship this weekend.
Norris emphasized that the sizable advantage in the standings is the result not only of a highly competitive car but also of having two drivers capable of delivering consistently high-level performances. While a competitive car is essential to fight for victories, the contribution of both drivers has been significant, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri alternating in top-level performances in almost every race.
There have been some exceptions, such as Canada and Monza, where the MCL39s failed to deliver sufficient pace. The same scenario applies to the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, although in that case the lack of results was not due to the car’s performance but to repeated mistakes by the drivers, which decisively compromised their weekend—errors they are determined not to repeat.
McLaren, the most consistent driver duo in the championship
Norris highlighted that the key to constructors’ success is having two reliable drivers. While many teams have talented pairings, few deliver the same continuity in results as he and Oscar Piastri. This advantage is further enhanced by the fact that the MCL39s consistently run at the front of the field, making strong finishes more achievable without relying on the “papaya rules,” which could otherwise create complications.
Looking to Singapore, Norris’s confidence is high, particularly given his victory at the same circuit last year. He recalls producing an extremely strong performance in the previous season’s race, with a competitive car, clean execution, and a consistent race pace without errors.
Since his F1 debut in 2019, Norris has always appreciated the unique challenges of Marina Bay, considering it one of the most captivating circuits on the calendar. Although the weather forecasts for the 2025 Singapore GP indicate slightly less favorable conditions compared to recent years, this does not diminish his enthusiasm. The challenge is clear: super Max Verstappen is present, but the real focus is on teammate Oscar Piastri, the current leader of the drivers’ championship.
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