Lando Norris brought home another strong result for McLaren at the 2025 Formula 1 Imola GP, finishing second behind Max Verstappen in what was a challenging but ultimately rewarding race at Imola.
Starting fourth on the grid, Norris was expected to face a tough afternoon on a notoriously difficult circuit for overtaking. However, smart tyre management and solid racecraft saw him work his way through the field, eventually climbing to second.
Norris on a tense battle with his McLaren teammte
Speaking immediately after the race in parc fermé, the Briton was reflective about the race’s intensity, Verstappen’s pace, and the late-race battle with his teammate Oscar Piastri.
“Not easy to overtake, but we did what we could,” Norris said. “I think Max [Verstappen] drove a good race. They were quick today and then probably a bit quicker. We couldn’t keep up and we had a good little battle at the end between Oscar [Piastri] and myself, which is always tense, but always good fun.”
McLaren looked strong all weekend, and while Piastri started from pole, the team’s hopes for victory were dashed early when Verstappen muscled his way into the lead at Tamburello on the opening lap. From that point on, the Dutchman managed the race perfectly, capitalising on the virtual safety car period for a crucial pit stop, and never relinquishing control.
Reflecting on a good day
Despite the frustration of missing out on a potential win, Norris remained upbeat about the team’s performance: “A good race. From us as a team, second and third is great. Of course, you would love to be up there fighting against Max, but they were too good for us today.”
Norris’ move up the order included a key overtake on George Russell earlier in the race, one that required not just commitment but trust in the man he was fighting. It was a high-stakes moment around the outside at the Villeneuve chicane, with Norris taking advantage of Russell’s tyre struggles.
“Yeah. I mean, it’s with George [Russell], and I could tell his tyres were struggling. You are struggling with the tyres a lot,” Norris explained. “So it’s just a situation you’ve got to take advantage of. I mean, it’s always risky. You never want to take too much risk, but we’re also racing, and it’s a fair race. It’s a good race, so some good moves today.”
What the future might hold
The late stages of the Grand Prix saw a thrilling scrap unfold between the two McLaren drivers after a safety car restart bunched the field. Norris, on fresher tyres than Piastri, made his move in the closing laps to seal second place—but the duel was clean, respectful, and added another layer of excitement to a tactical race.
Ultimately, while Verstappen may have secured the win with a typically imperious performance, McLaren left Imola with their heads held high. A double podium—with Norris second and Piastri third—confirms their place as the toughest Constructor’s title challenger as the European leg of the season heats up.
For Norris, it’s another sign of his and the team’s growing momentum. The wait for that elusive next win continues, but results like Imola show the papaya outfit is knocking ever louder on the door.
