Lando Norris Declares Max Verstappen Is Going To “Make McLaren’s Life Difficult” After Baku Humbling

Lando Norris made a shocking confession on Max Verstappen and his chances against McLaren in the 2025 season.

Lando Norris Declares Max Verstappen Is Going To “Make McLaren’s Life Difficult” After Baku Humbling

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen has achieved a great turnaround in performance, especially against Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Red Bull’s pace has seemingly improved for the better, and the Dutchman looks much more confident in contending for race wins now. As such, Norris makes a shocking confession about Milton Keynes’ chances to succeed, especially after the dominance in Baku.

Red Bull’s start to the 2025 season was decent, with Max Verstappen picking up two race victories ahead of the summer break. But mid-way through the season, Verstappen lost massive performance and was not competitive anymore. The Dutchman was seemingly out of the championship contention, but his recent two-race win streak and potentially even more have set him up for great success.

Lando Norris recalled the entire 2025 season and how Red Bull was a difficult competitor despite being slower off the racing line. Norris made a ‘not a surprise’ statement on Max Verstappen now being in the mix for contending for the drivers’ title this year.

Norris insisted that Red Bull was an incredibly strong team and Max Verstappen was one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1. As such, the Briton noted that he expected nothing less from the rivals, and they were bound to make McLaren’s life difficult towards the end of the season. Now, time will tell how Verstappen manages to beat the 25-year-old and Piastri in the final stages.

So not a surprise. I think we know that they’re an incredibly strong team and he’s one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. So we expect nothing less. They’re going to make our life difficult, I think, for the rest of the season.

Lando Norris said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Lando Norris claims Red Bull ‘on an other level’ against McLaren

The recent two races, the Italian GP and the Azerbaijan GP, have both been disappointing for McLaren, to say the least. Neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri has been able to emerge victorious in the races despite racing in a superior chassis. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen achieved victories in both races and in a dominant, record-breaking manner.

Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (via Planetf1)
Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (via Planetf1)

Lando Norris recalled how they were clearly not the fastest in Monza, especially against Red Bull and Max Verstappen. The Briton reflected on the Italian GP and how Milton Keynes was still dominant in their strong suit, while McLaren couldn’t achieve any improvements in their strength. As such, there were areas where the Austrian constructor was on a whole other level as compared to Woking, and they needed to figure out the reason for this quickly.

Monza, clearly, we were not quick enough. We’ve made improvements, but things where the Red Bull have been so good and dominated in the past, they still have and we don’t. When I was following the Red Bull, there were clearly some areas where they were just another level to us. We need to understand why.

Lando Norris added.

The 2025 season is far from over, even though there are just seven races left till season completion. Verstappen has reduced the point deficit to the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, to 69 points. Moreover, Lando Norris is also just ahead of the Dutchman by 44 points, which can be reduced in a matter of a couple of races.

Read More: “Is This Going to Be Okay?,” Max Verstappen Confesses Questioning Red Bull future