When asked about the pace difference compared to rivals, Lando Norris admitted that the qualifying gap in Australia left everyone stunned: “Our goal was pole position, but we expected Ferrari to be much closer than it was. In the end, they were seven or eight tenths behind, and that caught us by surprise.”

Ferrari disappointed in Australia, but Lando Norris still sees it as a threat

Analyzing the free practice data, Lando Norris noted that Ferrari appeared competitive, especially in Friday’s long runs. “To be honest, their race pace even seemed better than ours. This shows how unpredictable things have become. One weekend, everything goes well, and the next, it can completely turn around.” – the British driver pointed out ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver then explained how the team managed to gain a crucial advantage in tire management, a key factor in a race with variable conditions like the one in Australia. “In the middle part of the race, we understood how to push without compromising the tires. At that point, we were very strong.”

Lando Norris also highlighted the importance of working with teammate Oscar Piastri: “We’ve learned a lot from each other about how to drive the car efficiently. Not every team has two drivers who can push each other forward like this—it’s something we’ve been working on at McLaren for a long time, and now it’s paying off.” – he added.

Looking ahead to the Shanghai weekend, Lando Norris remains cautious, aware of how difficult it is to make predictions in a season where performance can change dramatically from one race to the next. However, morale is high at McLaren, and the team aims to build on its strong showing in Australia.

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After the opening race in Melbourne, McLaren can look ahead to the Chinese GP with smiles and certainty: the papaya team is the leading force, Norris is confident that Shanghai will bring more joy to the British team, while Ferrari’s rivals will have to fix the issues they showed in Australia.

What to expect from the Chinese Grand Prix? At the start of the 2025 season in Albert Park, McLaren shone when it mattered, both in qualifying and the race. After a very promising Friday, Ferrari had to “sacrifice performance,” as Charles Leclerc himself admitted. And it was clear, both on Saturday and Sunday. In Q3, Charles Leclerc’s and Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari cars failed to achieve anything more than a mediocre fourth row, and during the race, the situation worsened. Thanks to the chaos and uncertain weather, Ferrari showed strategic and performance shortcomings, resulting in a total of only 5 points.

“In China, McLaren will be very strong,” Norris is confident, but what about Ferrari?
With Ferrari, the main “threat” – as described by the McLaren drivers – already dealing with dilemmas and difficulties, Andrea Stella’s team can approach the Chinese GP with a strong sense of optimism. Lando Norris, winner in Melbourne and world leader, has high expectations for the next race weekend, which will also feature the first Sprint of 2025. “I’m confident that next weekend in China we can be very strong. We’ve made our car much more balanced for all types of circuits.”

“We know the circuits where we’ll struggle,” Norris admitted, but China doesn’t seem to be one of the feared tracks. The English driver’s confidence comes from last season: “Why am I confident for the Chinese GP? Last year in Shanghai, we were strong even though we didn’t have such a good car.” With a MCL38 that wasn’t anywhere near as competitive as the one that won the title in Abu Dhabi, McLaren managed to secure a valuable second place in China, 14 seconds behind Verstappen. Now, with a much more competitive car, there is hope for a McLaren domination in Shanghai.

A “Sprint” China Doesn’t Smile on Ferrari: McLaren Smiles
The team most likely to try to prevent a McLaren domination in China is Ferrari. The Prancing Horse, after showing its strength during Friday’s practice in Melbourne, quickly declined. Ferrari’s weekend of struggle in Australia was sealed by the setup change announced by Leclerc after disappointing Saturday qualifying. Forced to raise the SF-25, probably to avoid excessive wear on the plank under the car, Ferrari lost competitiveness.

Fans hope that in Shanghai, Fred Vasseur’s team won’t be forced to raise the car again. Getting the setup work on the right track, starting with simulator work, will be crucial, given the only practice session available on Friday. In this sense, the Sprint format doesn’t favor Ferrari, who are looking for solutions after the doubts raised in Australia. Will 60 minutes of session be enough to bring Ferrari’s setup back to an ideal state that can challenge Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri?

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High expectations deflate at the dawn of the first Saturday of the season. Ferrari gets off on the wrong foot in Australia, squandering a promising Friday with a poor performance in qualifying. The session locks Leclerc and Hamilton’s SF-25s in the fourth row, placing them seventh and eighth on the Melbourne grid. While Maranello may have sacrificed qualifying for a setup better suited to the likely wet race, disappointment and concern are growing among fans, surprised by this Australian setback.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in unison: “Ferrari, what happened? You were as fast as us!”

It’s not just Ferrari fans who were negatively surprised by the Scuderia’s qualifying performance in Melbourne. Even McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri admitted they were taken aback by their rivals’ struggles. “I mean, I expected more,” Lando Norris said in the post-qualifying press conference. “They’ve been as fast as us all weekend! In qualifying, we were expecting a fight with Ferrari, even though Max Verstappen didn’t seem too far behind.” – the British driver pointed out.

The Woking driver tried to explain Ferrari’s struggles: “I think we expected more from them, but people judge too quickly. It’s hard to put together a perfect lap. A tenth of a second can make a big difference and shift you three or four positions. That kind of gap is within reach for everyone, especially on a track like this,” Norris explained. “I took quite a few risks on my final lap to secure pole. But I definitely expected Ferrari to be faster.”

“I don’t know if they just couldn’t put together a good lap or if they had car issues. You’d have to ask them,” Norris said, reflecting on the Scuderia’s performance. “We expected Ferrari to be quicker because Leclerc and Hamilton were as fast as us all weekend. For some reason, they just couldn’t deliver in qualifying.”

Norris’ surprise was echoed by Oscar Piastri. The Australian also analyzed Ferrari’s lackluster Saturday in Melbourne: “In qualifying, we expected Ferrari to be our biggest threat. Now everyone will think McLaren is by far the fastest car, but I believe things will change a lot in the coming races,” Oscar Piastri explained. The McLaren driver is sure the SF-25 will give his team a tough fight: “It’ll be a great challenge. I think Ferrari will be fast and competitive throughout the season.” – he concluded.

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Ferrari will be in contention to win in Australia, and McLaren is not as strong as it seems—at least according to Lando Norris, the Woking team’s driver and one of the favorites for the 2025 title. On the eve of the Melbourne GP, the British driver had a few things to get off his chest, showing some frustration with the overwhelming predictions favoring McLaren.

After their title-winning performance in Abu Dhabi, McLaren was somewhat overshadowed during the winter by the media frenzy surrounding Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Between expectations and bold statements, the Scuderia had drawn most of the attention. But by February, testing in Bahrain had shifted the spotlight onto McLaren, which looked impressive, especially in long runs.

Lando Norris irritated: “Everyone is playing the underdog!”
Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, the British driver expressed some annoyance with this renewed attention on Woking. “I know there are big expectations; everyone is talking about it… It’s all because of that one race simulation I did in Bahrain. Everyone thought it looked very competitive. It was a good long run, but it happened in the best possible conditions!” – he pointed out.

The 1999-born Briton does not appreciate the pressure of being the favorite. “People have short memories. Too many conclusions are being drawn before the season even starts. Everyone wants to play the ‘underdog’ role, trying to lower expectations.”

“But people can talk all they want. We have to stay focused on ourselves. We want to be fast and expect to be fighting at the front, but certainly not with the advantage that everyone is claiming!” Norris said, visibly irritated, to the media in Melbourne.

Lando Norris fears Ferrari: “How much fuel in Bahrain…”

The McLaren driver does not trust his rivals, who, in his view, are being falsely modest. “I think we’re in a similar position to the other three top teams. There were many things the public didn’t see, where Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari looked really strong.” – the Briton added.

Lando Norris tried to shift the focus onto McLaren’s competitors, showing particular concern for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. “I know how much fuel and other things Ferrari had for a good part of the tests in Bahrain. You’ll be surprised to see how fast they are already this weekend,” Lando Norris concluded on media day in Australia.

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The MCL39 has already instilled fear in its rivals. The latest creation from Woking is an extreme evolution of the 2024 car that won the Constructors’ Championship. This was undoubtedly a risky approach from McLaren’s engineers, but it has paid off. During the three days of testing in Bahrain, the papaya-colored car was the fastest.

From day one, Lando Norris’s car, in particular, was flawless—exceptional handling, minimal corrections, consistent race pace, and low tire degradation. The onboard footage showed a car that seemed to run on rails. This has alarmed fans worldwide, who fear another Red Bull-style dominance like in 2023. However, nothing is set in stone.

Telemetry data suggests that the other teams are close and ready to attack. Moreover, McLaren faces a disadvantage: Australia is a completely different circuit from Sakhir. As a street track, it has a different layout, weather conditions, and tire requirements. Everything is still wide open.

One factor that could be a red flag for McLaren is the rivalry between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Last season, the two maintained a strong relationship, leading to great teamwork in Hungary and Qatar. However, they also had a costly incident in Monza—Oscar Piastri, starting second, launched an aggressive attack on Norris, causing him to lose position to Charles Leclerc as well.

Are we certain that in 2025, with both drivers more experienced and in a highly competitive car, tensions won’t erupt within McLaren? Anthony Davidson addressed the topic on *Sky Sports F1*: “I love this lineup. It’s young, fresh, and full of spirit. But often, that also brings drawbacks, as we saw last year. Still, the team managed to handle the situation quite well.”

“I think that if they have the most competitive car this year and a margin over their rivals, they will push each other hard, and things could become more personal. That’s something to consider. On one hand, Oscar Piastri has an innate, unshakable confidence. On the other, Norris is reaching ‘adulthood’ as a driver and will be the one to beat.”

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Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Move Shakes Up F1 as He Begins a New Chapter in 2025

Lewis Hamilton sent shockwaves through the motorsport world last year with the stunning revelation that he would be making a historic switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion announced his departure from Mercedes even before taking the wheel of the W15, bringing an end to one of the most dominant partnerships in Formula 1 history. During his time with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton shattered numerous records, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers.

However, the ground effect era proved to be a difficult transition for Hamilton, as he struggled with Mercedes’ performance inconsistencies. He endured a winless streak that lasted over two and a half years before finally breaking through with an emotional victory at Silverstone in 2024. Despite that triumph, frustrations were evident, and his final season with Mercedes ended in disappointment—finishing seventh in the standings, his lowest-ever career result. George Russell frequently outperformed him in both qualifying and race pace, further underscoring the challenges he faced.

Now, at 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton is embarking on a bold new adventure with Ferrari. The British driver has signed a two-year contract with the Scuderia, with an option for a third, making this likely his final chapter in Formula 1. With renewed determination, he is fully focused on securing his long-sought eighth world championship, a feat that would cement his place as the most decorated driver in F1 history.

Excitement is at an all-time high as the world eagerly awaits Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next week.

*Drive to Survive* Captures Raw Reactions to Hamilton’s Ferrari Move

The Briton’s dramatic decision to join Ferrari not only caught fans and pundits off guard but also stunned his fellow drivers. The latest season of *Drive to Survive* offers an inside look at the F1 paddock’s real-time reactions to the seismic shift, including a standout response from Lando Norris, who described the move as “pretty sick.” With anticipation building, all eyes are now on Hamilton as he takes on his biggest challenge yet in the iconic red of Ferrari.

During pre-season testing at the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen was spotted chatting with Lewis Hamilton about his high-profile move to Ferrari. Magnussen acknowledged the significance of the switch, calling it both “huge” and “crazy.” Later, in a one-on-one interview, he described Hamilton’s decision as a “cool move” and expressed his admiration for the bold career shift.

Lando Norris also shared his perspective on Hamilton’s transfer, stating that he found the move incredibly exciting. As the McLaren driver gears up for a fierce title battle in 2025, his reaction underscored the major impact Hamilton’s switch could have on the championship fight.

Meanwhile, Williams driver Alex Albon pointed out the substantial financial benefits of Hamilton’s Ferrari contract. With the Briton reportedly set to earn up to £83 million per season, including bonuses, Albon remarked that the deal was not only advantageous for Hamilton’s career but also for his bank account.

The British driver’s former Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, weighed in on the move as well, highlighting Hamilton’s skill and experience while acknowledging the challenge of replacing him. The Finnish driver jokingly mentioned that he was still waiting for a call from Toto Wolff regarding the vacant Mercedes seat, though at the time, his phone had remained silent.

However, in a twist of fate, Valtteri Bottas did receive that long-awaited call, as he is now set to return to Mercedes as their reserve driver, supporting George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.

Lewis Hamilton Faces Crucial Test as Ferrari Debut Nears: Can He Still Fight for the Title?

With the 2025 Formula 1 season opener in Australia just around the corner, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton as he prepares for his highly anticipated Ferrari debut. The seven-time world champion’s move to Maranello has sparked intense debate, with fans and analysts eager to see if he can thrive in red and challenge for an eighth title.

Many hope Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at the Italian side will be a success, but concerns remain about his readiness for the season. Due to limited running during pre-season testing in Bahrain, some believe he could be *slightly underprepared* heading into the first race in Melbourne. With minimal mileage under his belt, questions linger about whether he will be able to adapt quickly to the SF-25 and hit the ground running.

Despite these doubts, former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has suggested that Hamilton is *energized and reinvigorated* ahead of the new challenge. At 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton is determined to prove that he can still compete at the highest level, taking the fight to both his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen.

However, Sky Sports pundit Naomi Schiff believes the biggest uncertainty surrounding the season is whether Hamilton can perform at Ferrari, calling it the *”million-dollar question.”* Testing left some unanswered concerns, and Hamilton’s struggles in 2024—his worst season to date—have led some to question if he still has what it takes to fight for a championship.

Yet, Ferrari’s fresh start could provide exactly the kind of motivation Hamilton needs. If the SF-25 proves to be a strong and competitive challenger, the Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari partnership could become a serious force in the title fight. As the season opener looms, anticipation continues to build over whether Hamilton’s historic move will lead to a triumphant new chapter in his career.

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A Championship-winning McLaren
“Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari? Cool.” Lando Norris, speaking calmly, emphasized that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is a perfect deal for both parties involved and for the entire F1 world. The McLaren driver had initially sparked amusement on social media by posting what could very well have been his reaction upon learning that Hamilton was set to join the Maranello team. In just a few days, he will be facing him on track in Melbourne for the season-opening Grand Prix.

And what if Norris were the next English driver destined to race for Ferrari? The Scuderia already has Oliver Bearman in its academy, who will be racing for Haas this year, but in the past, Lando Norris has been on Scuderia Ferrari’s radar and has also been a target for both Mercedes and Red Bull.

Lando Norris was a guest on the U.S. broadcaster NBC and skillfully dodged an uncomfortable question, hinting that he dreams of following in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriot, Lewis Hamilton. “Which team would I race for if McLaren left F1? I can’t answer that question,” Lando Norris said. “I know exactly which team I would love to race for—it’s the team every driver dreams of joining at some point in their career. I’m very happy to be part of McLaren; it’s the team that nurtured me and brought me into F1, and I’m convinced I’ll stay here for many more seasons.” – the British driver concluded.

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Lewis Hamilton’s choice to leave Mercedes for Ferrari has caught everyone’s attention, including Lando Norris. The young McLaren driver recently expressed his support for this decision, which many have criticized negatively.

For Lewis Hamilton, this represents an opportunity to write a new chapter in his already legendary career. In an interview with ITV’s This Morning, Lando Norris described the move as “a fascinating story,” emphasizing that after everything Lewis Hamilton has achieved, it is an “interesting step” to take.

“I would have done the same” – Lando Norris’ admission about Lewis Hamilton
“It’s a great story for him to go to Ferrari after everything he has accomplished. Many people have said that it’s probably not the right thing to do and so on. I would probably do the same if I were in his place. It sounds fantastic,” said the British driver.

“I know he will want to go there with a fresh mindset and show everyone that he still has the Lewis Hamilton he has displayed all these years. We’ll wait and see,” he added.

After a record-breaking year in which Lando Norris secured his first F1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix and helped McLaren win the Constructors’ Championship after 26 years, expectations for the 2025 Formula 1 season are high.

Lando Norris also acknowledged that the competition on track is always intense. “When I’m on track, it makes no difference. Lewis is a competitor, and I want to beat him,” he stated. This sets the stage for an exciting year of challenges between the two drivers, with new Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton eager to prove his worth and unwilling to back down in his attempt to reclaim his place at the top.

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Lewis Hamilton had a farewell tour during the 2024 F1 season after announcing his departure from Mercedes before the campaign began. Despite his emotional victory at Silverstone and inheriting a win from George Russell at Spa, it wasn’t the swan song he would have hoped for with the Silver Arrows.

Instead, much of his final season with Mercedes was spent watching Ferrari edge ahead, narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ Championship.

Now, Lewis Hamilton believes he’s in the right environment to challenge McLaren and Red Bull as he targets his elusive eighth world championship.

One driver who could complicate Hamilton’s start at Ferrari is Lando Norris. Norris was among those who tried—and failed—to halt Max Verstappen’s dominance in 2024.

With standout victories in the Netherlands and Singapore, Lando Norris proved he has the potential to become a future F1 champion. However, Verstappen’s relentless form continues to cast a long shadow over the grid. Now, both Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris are determined to be the ones to end Verstappen’s streak of five consecutive titles.

Formula 1 fans eagerly awaited confirmation of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, holding their breath for an official announcement. Speculation intensified when Hamilton was spotted outside Ferrari’s headquarters, followed by the release of his first official portrait with the team.

Damon Hill reacted to seeing Hamilton at Ferrari for the first time, while F1TV broadcaster Ruth Buscombe Divey commented, “Sir Lewis! Welcome home.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s former McLaren rival Lando Norris replied to his post, simply remarking “Don” in reference to his outfit.

Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton could potentially engage in an all-British battle for the 2025 F1 title
It remains uncertain which team will have the fastest car in 2025.

With new regulations looming for the following year, it’s unlikely that any team will undergo a complete car revolution over the winter.

If that proves true, Norris and Hamilton could find themselves in direct contention for the title, a scenario that would surely delight British fans. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, driving identical cars, will also aim to challenge for the championship, while George Russell at Mercedes could emerge as a third British contender. All these drivers, however, are keenly aware that despite Red Bull’s struggles at the end of last season, Verstappen likely remains the favorite to clinch the title.

Nico Rosberg has expressed confidence in Lando Norris’s championship prospects, though even he knows that the 27-year-old Hamilton cannot be underestimated, especially if he gets the chance to spoil the party for his younger compatriot.

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Now, footage of the event has been shared. The video, posted on social media by various pages, shows the driver losing control of the car while navigating what appears to be a fairly ordinary road.

No sudden maneuvers or excessive speed are evident. The F40 spins out after rounding a curve, colliding with the roadside guardrails.

Details About the Driver
The footage reveals that Lando Norris was not driving the car. Additionally, the British McLaren driver was abroad at the time, making it impossible for him to have been behind the wheel of his Ferrari.

It remains unclear why someone else was driving the car and why it behaved the way it did. The damage appears to be significant, both financially and emotionally, for Norris, who had hoped for a smoother start to 2025.

The Crash Video
Below is the video of the incident, which clearly shows that the McLaren driver was not at the wheel:

THE FOOTAGE OF THE CRASH IS INSANE OMG???

(the license plate confirms it’s his f40 & someone else was driving while he was abroad) pic.twitter.com/1kJmjWjXhX https://t.co/30k5894geE

— ray (@ln4norris) January 18, 2025

Source: f1ingenerale

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