Norris makes F1 title prediction after Miami win

Lando Norris is "100 per cent" confident of providing Max Verstappen with a season-long F1 title challenge in 2025.

The Briton emerged victorious at the Miami Grand Prix at the weekend, capturing his first F1 race victory at the 110th attempt.

After making sizeable gains throughout last season following the introduction of major upgrades in Austria and Singapore, McLaren introduced its latest significant package ahead of the race in Miami as it continues to develop its way towards the front of the F1 field.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Norris expressed confidence McLaren can challenge Red Bull and Verstappen at further grands prix this year.

“We can win more races this year, I think we can compete against Red Bull,” Norris said. “We’re looking at an exciting season between us, Red Bull and Ferrari.

“We still have work to do, we’re not at the level they are yet. There are going to be races that we’re competitive enough but on average we’re not quite where we want to be. We’ll keep our feet on the ground.”

2025 title fight

McLaren's title drought stretches back to the 2008 campaign when Lewis Hamilton took the first of his seven world championships.

With new technical regulations on course to be introduced in 2026, Norris is hopeful McLaren can take a consistent challenge to Red Bull before the rule change.

When asked if McLaren can compete for the title in 2025, Norris replied: “100 per cent. 

“I’m saying that with my feet on the ground. But absolutely. I want to believe we have two great drivers, as Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] normally says. 

“We’ve got an amazing team behind us. We’re closer than ever. As much as I said at the beginning of the year that we can win races, I want to believe and I should have the confidence that next year we can go for more, we can go for the next step. 

“But we have a lot more work to do and we’re working hard to try and achieve it.”

Such a battle would likely see Norris go head-to-head against Verstappen, a prospect the McLaren driver is relishing.

Asked if his friendship with Verstappen would change in a title fight, Norris replied: “I’m sure it will. 

“I don’t want to say in a bad way, but we have respect for each other. We get along. We’re not best friends, we don’t text each other every day. 

“But we just have a lot of respect. I look forward to it, I want to challenge him, I want to race against him. I want to battle because I think he’s one of the best drivers ever in F1. 

“If I can prove myself against him, I can prove myself against one of the best.”