'2025 F1 Season Not a Failure If I Miss World Title': McLaren's Norris Downplays Expectations

Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 17:36 IST

The 25-year-old Briton began the season as the early favorite for the title, but has since been overtaken by his younger teammate Oscar Piastri currently.

McLaren boss Zak Brown insisted there will be no internal issues with this championship fight (AFP)

Lando Norris says he would not view his 2025 Formula One campaign as a failure, even if he falls short in his pursuit of a maiden world championship.

After claiming victory at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, the McLaren driver reduced the points gap to his teammate—and current championship leader—Oscar Piastri to just 15.

Heading into his home race at Silverstone, Norris insists he has grown as a driver over the past year, despite a season that has featured a few costly errors.

Piastri Leads the Way

The 25-year-old Briton began the season as the early favorite for the title, but has since been overtaken by his younger teammate.

Piastri has claimed five Grand Prix victories to Norris’s three, making it increasingly appear to be a two-driver fight for the crown, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen trailing Norris by 46 points.

Reflecting on the prospect of missing out on the championship, Norris said:

“I’d have to say I didn’t succeed in what my goal was, but I don’t think you can ever call it a failure because I don’t believe I’ve failed at anything.

I feel like maybe I just didn’t live up to what I believed I could have done or the level I should have done at certain times.

I think if things were much easier and you don’t achieve your goal, maybe you can call it a failure. But when it’s 24 races—it’s such a long season against the best in the world—I don’t think you can ever call it a failure. Maybe you didn’t succeed."

Managing Pressure

Norris also acknowledged that much of the pressure he faces comes from within.

“It’s more the desire—almost too much desire—to want to do such a good job every weekend, to deliver for the team," he explained.

“I want to deliver for the team, and I want to win. I kind of put myself under the pressure too much, but I understand that."

As he prepares for his home Grand Prix at Silverstone—a race he has yet to win—Norris downplayed the weight of expectation.

“It almost distracts you more in a good way," he said. “Distracts you more by having your fans and your supporters there.

You’re almost more there enjoying the moment rather than, ‘I’ve got to do this for them,’ as much as that is probably a thought prior to the weekend."

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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