Lando Norris: "We have a lot to do to retain our Constructors' title and aim for the Drivers' title"

Here it is, the first one F1 2025 has hit the track! McLaren was the first team to run its new car, the MCL39 dressed in a black and orange camouflage livery, during a shakedown organized at Silverstone this Thursday. The opportunity for the world champion team to check all the systems and the proper functioning of the car before flying to Bahrain for winter testing, from February 26 to 28. The opportunity also for Lando Norris et Oscar piastri to get back behind the wheel and get their first taste of driving their next vehicle.

In 2025, McLaren will have a lot to play for. After winning the Constructors' title in 2024, the first since 1998, the Papayes are aiming even higher this season with the ultimate goal of the Constructors' - Drivers' double. To do this, Lando Norris will once again be the leader of the British team to go for this first world crown in Formula 1.“It’s exciting to get into the MCL39 for the first time and see what it can do on track, ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain., confided the vice-world champion after his first drive aboard the new McLaren. The camouflage livery is fun and it's great to be able to show something different before the reveal of our full livery at the official launch of the F175 (the joint presentation evening of the ten teams, Ed.)."

“Thanks to the whole team for the work they have done to get us to this point. This year will be more competitive than ever, so we have a lot to do to retain our Constructors' title and aim for the Drivers' title, underlines the Briton. I have returned to the MTC (McLaren Technology Centre) to prepare for the upcoming season and the mood is positive but focused. We are all looking forward to getting the car out on track in Bahrain before our debut in Australia and seeing how we stack up against the other teams. It is going to be an exciting season.”

McLaren faces a season « incredibly difficult »

This year again, for the third season in a row, Oscar Piastri will line up alongside Lando Norris. The Australian also has strong ambitions after taking his first two Formula 1 victories last year. However, after some controversy and disagreements with his teammate in 2024 – notably due to a lack of clarity regarding the hierarchy at McLaren – the Melbourne native knows that he could also have a lieutenant role in 2025 if Lando Norris quickly takes over.

"I've been working hard in the offseason to be ready for the upcoming season. The margins at the top will likely be incredibly tight, but I'm excited about the room for improvement that lies ahead of me after two seasons in this sport, says Oscar Piastri. Winning Grands Prix early in my career gave me a taste of success and I want much more. As a team, we can take great momentum into 2025 after such a brilliant 2024. A big thank you to everyone, at the grassroots and on the circuit, for all the work done so far.”

For McLaren, despite high ambitions in 2025, the British team first wants to ensure that it is still as competitive against its main rivals. Andrea Stella expects a tough battle between the Top Teams throughout the 24 Grands Prix of the year. “Although we finished last year as champions, 2024 has highlighted the strong competitiveness of the starting grid, which will carry over to this year’s championship, McLaren Team Principal believes. So we need to stay focused to fight at the front in this tight field. The year ahead will be exciting but incredibly difficult. The team has worked very hard to prepare as best we can for the start of the season. We learned a lot from our battles last year, so we take that and use it to achieve our goal for the year."

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