McLaren have made a strong start to the 2025 season and many claim that the MCL39 is currently the fastest car on the grid. Lando Norris has been on the podium in every race so far and won the Australian Grand Prix.

Thanks to this consistent form, Norris is currently leading the Drivers’ Championship. His teammate Oscar Piastri has also been very impressive, winning two races and sitting second in the standings.

But despite these great results, Norris has been honest about not feeling completely confident. He says the new car does not suit his driving style as well as last year’s did. While the MCL39 is quick, it doesn’t give him the same feeling or control he had with the 2024 car, the MCL38. That has made it harder for him to drive the way he wants, especially when entering corners, where he usually pushes the limits.

“I know I can be so much better and perform at a much higher level than what I’m doing now,” he said, quoted by Autosport.

“My level of confidence was very high at the end of last season. Now I cannot, just because my feelings are not there.”

That difference was clear in Bahrain, where Norris had a difficult weekend. He made a mistake in qualifying and also got a penalty for a false start, but still managed to finish third. After the race, he admitted he felt unsure about how the car would behave, especially in one-lap qualifying runs.

“I just hate not knowing how I’m going to perform in a qualifying lap. Last year I understood the car, I understood how to drive it. Now I don’t.”

 

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READ MORE: 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix: Who is leaving happy and who disappointed?

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The Briton then took a few days off after Bahrain to reset. He said he needed time to step away and clear his head. But even during his time off, racing was still on his mind.

“I needed a couple of days off. Probably would have liked a few more. But I tried to force myself to think of what a success the start of the season has been. I have to be reminded that I’m leading the championship, won the first race and been on the podium every race.”

Even though he is in a strong position, Norris is still focused on improving. He says he is not yet driving at his full potential. “I want to achieve my potential, and at the moment, I am not achieving it,” he explained.

“I know I am hard on myself, but for 95 percent of it, that is a good thing. But I accept there have been times when I say too many negatives and it gets into my own head.”

Going into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Norris said the team has started to figure out what’s causing the problems. He’s working on changing some parts of his driving to better match the car. “There are things I’m able to change from a driving style point of view. It’s stuff I’ve never had to think about before. It’s just not my normal way of driving or thinking.”

He knows that not everything can be fixed right away, but he’s hopeful that step-by-step progress will help him feel more confident and get back to his best.