Formula 1: Australian Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris launch McLaren 2025 challenger at Silverstone

Australian Oscar Piastri has signalled his ambitions for the 2025 season while launching McLaren’s challenger on track at Silverstone with teammate Lando Norris.

Oscar Piastri says his Grand Prix victories last year have given him the “taste for success” as he prepares to launch into his 2025 campaign, while his teammate Lando Norris warned he was ready to get his “elbows out” to dethrone Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.

After steering McLaren to the constructors’ championship last year, the papaya pair unveiled their 2025 challenger on track at Silverstone overnight.

Piastri and Norris both shared driver duties for the launch of the MCL39 ahead of the official season launch in London next week.

The Australian claimed two Grand Prix victories last season – in Hungary and Azerbaijan – as he finished fourth in the drivers’ standings.

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— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 13, 2025

Norris, 25, was the runner-up behind Verstappen in the championship as the Red Bull ace secured his fourth consecutive title.

But the pair’s combined efforts were enough for McLaren to secure its first F1 constructors’ title since 1998.

Piastri will kick off the 2025 F1 season at his home race at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 16 with high expectations to continue his upward trajectory.

The 23-year-old Melburnian said a big off-season had him primed for more “growth” after his two seasons in the sport.

“It’s great to get behind the wheel of the MCL39 for the first time ahead of us putting it through its paces in Bahrain,” Piastri said.

McLaren launch of 2025 F1 season. Photo: McLaren Media

“The camo livery looks cool and I am excited to showcase what we’ll be racing in this season at the official livery reveal next week.

“I have been working hard in the off-season to ensure I am ready for the season ahead. The margins at the top are likely to be incredibly tight but I’m excited by the room for growth after two seasons in the sport.

“Winning grands prix early in my career has given me the taste for success and I want much more.

“As a team, we can take great momentum into 2025 after such a brilliant year in 2024. A big thank you to everyone back at base and trackside for all the hard work that’s been done so far.”

Norris fell 63 points short of Verstappen in the championship battle at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The championship combatants had several run-ins on track during the season, but Norris has vowed to take a hard line in his quest for a maiden title this year.

“I need to get my elbows out (against Verstappen) and show I am not willing to give him any positions,” Norris told the media at Silverstone.

McLaren launch of 2025 F1 season. Photo: McLaren Media

“I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be smart to go up against Max.

“It is always a lot harder when you are in the car, rather than when you rewatch it, and when I saw some of the things I did last year, I was like, ‘what the hell have I done that for? And what an idiot’.”

Norris, who completed a number of laps during a rain-hit promotional filming event at the UK track on Thursday, admitted McLaren had the better car for most of the 2024 season.

“I have to do better, and I don’t need to be told that,” Norris said.

“However, it will be a different mentality for Max if he is 50 points behind in the championship, versus being 50 ahead.”

The Brit has been installed by bookmakers as the favourite to win the Formula 1 drivers’ crown ahead of Verstappen a month out from the opening race in Australia.

“I like that I have that pressure on my back but I am not feeling it,” Norris said.

“I hope I can go out and make them some money.”

ENDS

Originally published as Formula 1: Australian Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris launch McLaren 2025 challenger at Silverstone