Rivals pray flexi-wing rule will counter McLaren pace

On media day in Barcelona, Lando Norris opted to shoot straight from the shoulder.

- KIERAN JACKSON

The McLaren driver, back to his former effervescent self after a majestic pole position and victory on his home streets of Monte-Carlo, was directly asked whether the 2025 F1 title race was just between himself and serene Australian teammate Oscar Piastri.

"If you think it is just out of me and Oscar... then you are a bit silly," Norris said. His deficit to leader Piastri is three points with a third of the season raced. Defending champion Max Verstappen is 25 points off the pace in third.

"There are plenty of opportunities," Norris added. "I expect Ferrari will get better as the season goes on. And Max can still win, come on! We are racing Max every weekend. I don't know what possibly makes you think that it's only between the McLaren drivers."

Yet McLaren's striking advantage in the constructors' championship - 172 points and counting - says something different. The fact of the matter is that this should be a twohorse race. Only the triumphant mastery of four-time champion Verstappen, indisputably the best driver on the grid in Suzuka and Imola, means his capricious Red Bull remains in contention.