Lando Norris insists McLaren have 'no excuses' in quest for both 2025 championships

Lando Norris has insisted McLaren have "no excuses" as they look to build on their Constructors' Championship success from last season and target both titles in 2025.

The team are one of only two on the grid maintaining their driver lineup from 2024 (the other being Aston Martin), leaving Norris and his team mate Oscar Piastri confident that they can secure their spot at the top of the standings once again.

While the Briton lost out on claiming the Drivers’ Championship to Max Verstappen, his team beat Ferrari and Red Bull to the Constructors’ Title – and many are backing McLaren as the favourites to claim both championships this season.

Their competitors will hope to capitalise on every opportunity in the final year before sweeping regulation changes come into effect in 2026, but the Woking outfit are keen to establish themselves as frontrunners from the start of the season in Australia.

Lando Norris talks with Max Verstappen in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Norris lost the drivers' title to Verstappen by 63 points in 2024

“After last year, we kind of have no excuses,” Norris said when asked if they will begin 2025 by fighting for both championships. “In the past we’ve had our fair share. I think this year we’ve got nothing left to hide behind.

“We proved last year that we’ve got everything we need and everything it takes to fight at the top and be the best. If we’re not at the beginning of the season then we’re just not good enough, but that’s certainly not how we’re thinking of things.

“I think we both, as drivers, proved a lot last year in ourselves and in each other of what we’re capable of doing. When we do have a car that’s capable of fighting for wins and championships, we’re able to maximise it.

“We’d both say we’re ready, and excited for the challenge. We’ve got the whole team behind us. Maybe in the past we got ahead of ourselves before pre-season so we’re not doing that, but we’re quietly confident.”

Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and the McLaren team celebrate winning the 2024 F1 Constructors Championship after the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images) — Norris and Piastri secured McLaren's first constructors' title since 1998

After pre-season testing in Bahrain, a tough calendar of 24 races will give the papaya team a chance to keep their rivals at bay and improve upon last season’s total of six Grand Prix victories.

Although Norris claimed four of those, he has not been apprehensive about addressing what he viewed as the errors that led to him losing the Drivers’ Title, but explained ahead of F1 75 Live that the continued pressure will help him thrive.

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He said: “There’s going to be more eyes on us, more expectations on every single one of us. We all acknowledge and accept it. A lot of people think pressure is a bad thing, but for me it’s really the opposite, it’s a good thing.

“I’ve always done much better after pressure. I still get nervous but my best performances often come when that is around.

“I had a good year but it was clear I needed to improve in several areas, especially in fighting against Max, but I’m not just going to be fighting him this season. I’ll make sure I’m ready to step it up.”