Norris hoping F1 fans cash in on his title-favourite tag

Lando Norris is not allowing the weight of expectation to get on top of him heading into the new F1 season.

The McLaren racer is widely considered the drivers' championship favourite after running Max Verstappen close for the title last year, ultimately falling 63 points short of the Dutchman.

Bolstered by the strength of the Woking-based team's package, the Briton is predicted to go one better this term behind the wheel of the MCL39, which was unveiled at Silverstone yesterday.

When it was put to the four-time grand prix winner he is the odds-on favourite with bookmakers, he laughed off the suggestion that with it comes added pressure.

"I hope they make a lot of money on me," Norris joked to select media including RacingNews365. "I'd feel bad if I let them down if they put money on me.

"Honestly, that's definitely not something that'll ever sway me in terms of my pressure, that people are doing that kind of thing.

"That's just how things have gone. Because I did well last year, those are the expectations - for the team and for myself."

The Piastri factor

As constructors' champions, it is no surprise bookies have latched onto McLaren as the title favourites in that race.

But as for the drivers' crown, Norris does not feel his beating of team-mate Oscar Piastri last year is any indication he will again enjoy the upper hand on the Australian.

"Every year is a new year and every driver is going to come back more determined, including myself. Everyone wants to prove their point and improve on their weaknesses, those types of things," he said.

"So as much as you can look at last year, I've got a strong team-mate. He's been very aggressive and fast - and aggressive in terms of: he's got up to speed very, very quickly and he's done a very good job in the first few years."

Nonetheless, the 25-year-old was quick to point out that as much as Piastri improved over the campaign, he did too - even though he says those factors do not directly contribute to the pressure he feels anyway.

"He's only going to improve from what he's done so far, so for me to have the performance that I had against them last year and still also be improving myself just as much was a good thing," the McLaren driver added.

"But I'm definitely not feeling the pressure of all of these things. I know there's the expectation, and we have more partners and sponsors and all of these things - and fans."

An unlikely advantage

To Norris, the pressure is an advantage, an added tool in his arsenal to draw upon. In his view, those factors are a benefit, not a hindrance.

"Every single one of these things adds to the pressure and the nerves of it all, but people always somehow turn it into a bad thing, but it's not a bad thing at all for me," he explained.

"I always perform better in these situations. Those are the moments I thrive on. The ones where there is more pressure, there is more nerves, and I enjoy that.

"As much as it's nerves, and you feel a bit like, 'Am I thinking of this, am I thinking of that? Am I doing the right thing?'

"Those are the moments I enjoy the most, and the moments that turn me into a better driver."

Norris claimed he gets further enjoyment from hearing he is the favourite for the championship, or that many consider it to be his to lose.

Whilst it is something that could provide added stress for a driver, the Briton is relishing the opportunity to make his fans some money.

"Too many people get hung up on that, 'Oh, that's not good, I bet he's not nervous.' I don't care about any of that, honestly," he added.

"I found the correct way of doing it myself, and that's what I stick to, so I like seeing those things. I like hearing them.

"I like that I have that kind of pressure on my back, but at the same time, I just hope I can go out and make people some money."

Do you think Lando Norris deserves his favourite for the 2025 F1 drivers' championship tag? Let us know in the comments or by voting below in the latest poll by RacingNews365.