rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
McLaren have started the 2025 Formula 1 season strongly with one victory each for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, prompting a bold prediction from George Russell
Lando Norris thinks he is in rival George Russell’s head after the Mercedes racer claimed McLaren are already unstoppable this season. Norris’ team has undoubtedly started the new campaign on the front foot having won the first two Grands Prix.
The Brit won the opening race in Melbourne to underline his status as the favourite for the drivers’ title. But then his team-mate Oscar Piastri reminded everyone that he can be a contender too by taking victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Russell was on the podium in both races but unable to compete with the McLarens for pace. And so he has already written off anyone’s chances of stopping Norris and his team in their championship charge this year.
“I think their car is definitely capable of winning every race,” Russell said of McLaren. “I think the gap they have on everybody this year is bigger than Red Bull ever had. I think Red Bull’s advantage in 2023 was three or four tenths. I think the advantage we are seeing from McLaren right now is bigger than that.”
READ MORE: Inside Lewis Hamilton police stop and day in court as F1 legend made ‘silly’ mistakeREAD MORE: F1 news: Max Verstappen fumes as Red Bull give latest driver deadline to avoid another axe
Those words have prompted an incredulous reaction from Norris who believes his long-time friend is playing some mind games. When Russell’s words were posed to him, the championship leader replied: “Ha! What? A bigger advantage than the 2023 [Red Bull] that won everything? Right.
“I thought he [Russell] was a bit smarter than that, but clearly not. I don’t even need to say anything. I think it’s obvious enough that it’s not. George thinks he can play a lot of games but… I don’t fall for any of them.
“The car clearly is not [as strong as Red Bull in 2023]. It’s very good but the fact he’s been [saying] so much, ‘The season’s over’ after one race is a bit weird. But he can do whatever he wants. I am happy he thinks those things.”
Russell is third in the championship and only nine points behind leader Norris after the first two rounds of the season. The latter believes his rival’s defeatist comments might be an indication that he is winning the mental battle.
Asked if he worried Russell’s words might get in his head, Norris suggested the opposite had already happened and replied: “No. If anything, it seems the opposite. It seems like he’s done with [the season]. It seems like I am in his head, if he thinks they can’t catch up.”
Team-mate Piastri is similarly doubtful and said of Russell’s comments: “I would be surprised if he seriously believes we’re so far ahead. I certainly think we have a strong car, definitely. But I think it’s still within reach for the others. George, he’s coming up with some funny things in the last couple of weeks… If he wants to write off his season after the first weekend, then I’ll let him do that.”
