Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
Lando Norris Predicts Surprising Winner in 2025 Formula 1 Season
McLaren’s Lando Norris has expressed his belief that an unexpected team could take victory in the 2025 Formula 1 season, breaking through the dominance of the established frontrunners. Historically, the current regulations have been largely dictated by the top teams; however, recent evolutions in the sport have made the competition much tighter.
The 2024 season saw notable performances from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, with McLaren notably claiming its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, effectively halting Red Bull’s uninterrupted success. Red Bull won all but one race in 2023, but the emergence of multiple teams vying for top positions brought much excitement to fans. As the sport approaches the final campaign under the existing rules, the anticipation grows that the competition among teams could become even more competitive, especially as preparations for the significant 2026 rule changes commence.
According to Norris, there is optimism that teams outside of the current leading four—McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull—such as Alpine and Aston Martin, may also be in contention for race wins. He elaborated, “It’s everyone’s expectation within Formula 1 that 2025 will be even closer. Each time the regulations remain unchanged, the competition tightens, as we’ve witnessed.”
Norris noted the competitive landscape began to shift towards the end of the previous season, with the mid-pack teams showing signs of catching up. “You’re probably going to have some winners that aren’t from the usual suspects, which I believe is beneficial for both Formula 1 and its supporters,” he added. He expects a change in dynamics during the upcoming season, emphasizing that while the beginning may still reflect familiar outcomes, the latter stages could bring thrilling variability.
Interestingly, no team from the bottom six has claimed a Grand Prix victory in recent times, with Esteban Ocon last achieving this feat for Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. However, recent performances indicate a shift. For instance, Ocon and his former teammate Pierre Gasly showcased their potential with a double podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, demonstrating how mid-tier teams could leverage unexpected circumstances—such as changing weather conditions—to their advantage.
Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the upcoming season holds the promise of memorable races where the standings could flip dramatically from one track to another. “Reflecting on the latter part of last season, we saw a variety of winners across different teams, which bodes well for a tightly contested season ahead,” Piastri remarked. “There was a sense last year that we were always in contention, but we could never quite predict our main competitors from week to week. I’m expecting that uncertainty to continue.”
Conclusion
As Formula 1 approaches the 2025 season, the potential for surprise victories and increased competition among several teams generates enthusiasm among fans and participants alike. With the backdrop of shifting regulations and evolving team dynamics, the anticipation builds for what could be an unpredictable and thrilling year of racing.
Source
www.motorsport.com