Lando Norris prediction made by F1 insider is bad news for McLaren racer

McLaren have two rising stars on their hands in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but the Woking-based team could be forced to make a decision on which driver to favour as the 2025 season edges closer

Formula 1 pundit Karun Chandhok has backed Lando Norris to speed ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri and become McLaren’s priority much earlier than last season.

Norris forayed into his first title fight in 2024 but he eventually became the latest victim of Max Verstappen’s dominance. McLaren were criticised in some quarters for not giving the Brit preferential treatment until late in the campaign, following constant debate over whether or not Piastri should take a backseat role amid his own impressive performances.

After winning the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, Norris, 25, confidently declared over his team radio: “Next year is going to be my year.” But 23-year-old Piastri, who alongside Norris helped McLaren win their first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998, also has his set sights on being the top driver in only his third season in F1.

With four-time world champion Verstappen still the man to beat and other contenders such as Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also in the conversation, McLaren likely won’t have time to let Norris and Piastri be equals for as long. Chandhok revealed his thoughts on the dilemma in exclusive interview with Mirror Sport to preview the 2025 season.

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“I think they’ll leave the drivers free to race at the start of the season, as they should,” the Sky Sports analyst and commentator explained. “The drivers need to earn the right to have that support of the wider team. So, I think they’ll start off as equals, they’ll both have every opportunity to assert their authority in terms of being the number one in the team.

“But I do think if there is a situation like last year, where they’re in a closer fight or they’re in a close fight with other teams and there’s a chance for one of the drivers to win the title more clearly than the other, then I think they might start to impose team orders earlier in the season to try and chase both titles.”

Who’ll score more points this season – Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

Backing Norris to take pole position in the McLaren garage, Chandhok, who raced in F1 in 2010 and 2011, predicted: “Sitting here today, I would say Lando and McLaren have got to be the favourites for the championship based on two reasons.

“A, the cars this year are an evolution of last year – McLaren are the ones who ended last season in the best shape. B, therefore, if we assume McLaren have got to have the best car this year, this has got to be Lando’s best chance to win his first title.”

Piastri will be desperate to make a statement when the season begins at his home Grand Prix in Australia on Sunday, March 16. McLaren want him and Norris to race cleanly, sticking to their ‘papaya rules’. In the heat of battle, that’s easier said than done.