Despite playing second fiddle to Max Verstappen for the majority of the season, Lando Norris has enjoyed a whirlwind 2024 with McLaren.
The 24-year-old is currently second in the Formula 1 championship standings, trailing Red Bull’s Verstappen by just 59 points. With seven Grand Prix still to go, he will still be hoping to overtake the three-time world champion.
Norris would undoubtedly sit comfortably in number one if it wasn’t for Verstappen, having won two races and earned a spot on the podium 10 times. But even if he fails to win his first F1 title in 2024, he will look to mount another challenge next year.
As things stand, Norris is generally seen as McLaren’s number-one driver given his title challenge, but team-mate Oscar Piastri has also had an outstanding year and is proving that he has what it takes to lead the team in 2025. Here, Mirror Sport breaks down all of the nightmare scenarios Norris could be faced with heading into the new season…
One of the most disheartening things that could take place ahead of the 2025 F1 season would undoubtedly be McLaren boss Zak Brown naming Piastri as the team’s number-one driver. Both Norris and Piastri have committed their futures to Brown’s outfit, but it’s still up in the air who will come out on top next year.
Currently, Norris is leading his team-mate by 32 points, with Piastri boasting two victories and six podium finishes himself in the 2024 season. However, the 23-year-old could stage a late comeback depending on circumstances heading into the last seven races of the year, having outperformed his team-mate of late.
If Piastri were to become McLaren’s top driver in the 2025 season, it would deal a significant blow to Norris’ confidence and may impact his performance. It might also result in Piastri receiving preferential treatment – although McLaren have a long-standing tradition of treating their drivers equally, only recently asking the Australian to help Norris in his title bid if the opportunity is there.
Sergio Perez is sacked by Red Bull
As Verstappen sets his sights on a fourth consecutive F1 Championship, Red Bull may reconsider their position on his team-mate, Sergio Perez. The 34-year-old Mexican has had a disappointing season this year, languishing in eighth place in the overall standings while Verstappen continues to reign supreme on the tracks.
Should Red Bull decide to sever ties with Perez, it could ramp up the competition for Norris in 2025. Last month, Red Bull engineering chief Paul Monaghan named three potential replacements for Perez should he be shown the door: Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda.
Monaghan said: “I think any of our drivers could step in. [Liam] could, as could Yuki, as could Daniel, as could Checo, they are all capable of driving the car. But it is a question for Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko]. Without wishing to be dismissive of your question, I think it is one better posed to Checo himself if you are going to ask what’s changed for him. In terms of the car, if this aero level suits him a little bit better relative to the opposition, then it is easier for him to be quicker in the field.”
Replacing Perez before the end of the season would also take an option away from Norris should he wish to leave McLaren. It is incredibly unlikely that Norris will part ways with his current set-up before the 2024 season comes to a close but he has been heavily linked to Red Bull in the past and if the worst was to happen and Piastri is given the nod to be the No 1, the Brit theoretically may then look for a new team.
Mercedes and Ferrari improve line-ups
While Lando Norris has only really been challenged by Verstappen this year, the 2025 F1 season could well be a different story. Impressive youngster Kimi Antonelli will join George Russell at Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton is making a move to Ferrari to team up with Charles Leclerc.
Despite not having won a title since 2020, seven-time champion Hamilton could find renewed success in 2025 with a new car and team. Ferrari chairman John Elkann is confident that the company’s acquisition of the 39-year-old will allow him to win an eighth world title, telling Sky Germany last month: “He comes to us to win, and we become stronger with him when it comes to anticipating the challenges of the future.
“He comes to us to win, and we become stronger with him when it comes to anticipating the challenges of the future. We are talking about a great athlete who is very motivated to become world champion for the eighth time, as the last races have shown. He certainly doesn’t come to Ferrari to enjoy his retirement.”
Norris has already admitted that McLaren are more worried about Ferrari than Red Bull, and there’s some anxiety about where their car will rank on the grid next season, especially with Mercedes also making significant progress this year.
Meanwhile, Antonelli has shown such promise that he bypassed F3 entirely to make his F2 debut with Prema this year. Alongside Russell, it will be interesting to see just how much of a thorn he can be in the side of Norris next season. If the youngster can have an immediate impact, he will have a new rival to contend with.
Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin brings more competition
Aston Martin have pulled off a major coup by securing the services of top F1 designer Adrian Newey for the 2025 season. Newey inked a long-term contract with the iconic British brand after a two-decade stint with Red Bull, batting away interest from rivals Ferrari and Williams. Newey will make a start with Aston come March 2025 and will have a huge impact on the team’s 2026 car.
Upon completion of the deal, owner Lawrence Stroll said: “This is huge news. Adrian is the best in the world at what he does – he is at the top of his game – and I am incredibly proud that he is joining the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.”
Newey will have his work cut out if he is to turn the Aston Martin into a car capable of fighting at the front of the grid in 2025 but his track record is exceptional – and the last thing Norris will want is another contender fighting for podiums and wins with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull already to think about.
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