For the first time in over a decade, McLaren head into an F1 season as Championship favourites. By extension, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are expected to challenge for victory at the season opener in Australia.
Of course, McLaren cannot necessarily control the narrative surrounding them.
Andrea Stella’s team did not do any ‘glory runs’ in testing, but the MCL39’s race simulations and general handling still created the consensus they have the fastest car.
From Norris’ perspective, however, these presumptions are incorrect and premature.
Norris: Ferrari did not show their true pace in testing
McLaren were the fastest team last year, although they regularly had Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull challenging them.
The expectation heading into the 2025 season was that it would be a continuation of last year’s unpredictable battle at the front.
However, the indications from Bahrain testing suggest that McLaren have the fastest package this year.
To some degree, the consistency of McLaren’s 2024 challenger meant they always had a better foundation to build on for this season.
Partly because of this, the British team switched their focus onto 2025 sooner than Mercedes or Red Bull, who were forced to address more fundamental issues with their concepts.
In an era of Formula 1 where the cars are so unpredictable, this gives the papaya team a massive edge.
Although Norris and Piastri accept they are in a strong place, the British driver dismisses the idea he will have a massive advantage:
“I feel like we’re in a similar playing field to the top of the three teams,” Norris told the media in Australia.
“I still think it’s us top four [from last year]. There are many things that other people didn’t see.
“Other people looked extremely strong, including Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari.
“I know how much fuel and stuff Ferrari had for a lot of the testing.
“You’d be surprised at how quick they’re going to be this weekend.
“People can talk what they want. I think for us we’ve kept to ourselves. We kept focused.
“We want to be quick, we expect to be up there fighting. But I definitely don’t think by the margin that everyone is saying.”
Who is most likely to challenge McLaren?
Assuming that McLaren have the fastest car this year, it is unclear who will be their closest challengers.
Ferrari, for example, finished last year’s campaign in a similar position to the Woking-based operation.
Over the winter break, they were frequently seen as likely title challengers. There were reports suggesting that both teams achieved similar gains with their 2025 cars.
Lando Norris seems to share this perspective, though his comments could stem from a general desire to manage expectations – rather than genuine concern about Ferrari’s progress.
Mercedes and Red Bull should also be near the front, although both teams have certain limitations to overcome.
Red Bull have been particularly vocal about their shortcomings, though most of their analysis has been directed at the RB21’s handling – rather than it’s pure pace.
Regardless of any predictions from media outlets and fans, this weekend’s action will provide some clear answers about the pecking order.
Then again, wet conditions on Sunday could throw another spanner in the works as teams acclimatise to 2025.
