Lando Norris has said that he is unsure of just how quick Red Bull’s car is compared to McLaren after Max Verstappen has begun the 2025 Formula 1 season with some impressive performances.
The Brit has had a tough start to the year, after beginning it as title favourite through the competitiveness of McLaren’s MCL39.
However, he is seen himself fall behind team-mate Oscar Piastri in performance, and subsequently in the Drivers’ standings, the Aussie now 16 points ahead.
Verstappen, comparatively, has been held back by his RB21, which has been noted as being difficult to drive, which saw initial team-mate Liam Lawson ousted in favour of Yuki Tsunoda.
But it hasn’t stopped the Dutchman complete some sensational drives, including three pole positions, one of which was converted into victory in Suzuka.
After his Japan victory, Verstappen cheekily said: “I’m very happy with what I’m doing. I don’t even want to think about if I’d been in that other car [McLaren]. Then you wouldn’t have seen me.”
Norris saw his form improve at the Miami Grand Prix, finishing second behind Piastri, and told media including Motorsport Week after the race that he is unsure of just how big the gulf between the two teams’ cars are.
“Impossible to know, you know, what car he’s [Verstappen] got compared to us,” he said. “The advantage we have is two quick drivers and they don’t, or we have a car that’s capable of allowing drivers to drive it quicker.
“But yeah, impossible to know, impossible to actually know the difference between the two cars.”
Can the McLaren tyre whispering see it hold the advantage after Monaco?
After the Monaco Grand Prix, the new rule changes on the flexi-wings – of which McLaren have previously been a big beneficiary – come into effect.
This might see a change in teams’ competitiveness, which indeed gives an air of mystery and intrigue about the championship with the Woking-based squad having dominated so far.
However, McLaren’s other key attribute so far this season has been its ability to manage tyre temperatures better than any other team, which has sparked suspicions from other teams as to the legality of its practices.
Team Principal Andrea Stella has said that knowing the “fundamentals” of how to deal with its tyres will see the team enjoy a benefit into the new regulations for 2026.
Red Bull have so far brought small upgrades to its package over the course of the season, with more expected to come.
READ MORE – McLaren: Oscar Piastri’s tyre management gains not solely down to McLaren car
