Norris has his say on Hamilton's huge move from Mercedes to Ferrari
F1 News
One of the biggest storylines coming into the 2025 Formula 1 season is, of course, Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. The move from Mercedes to the Scuderia occurred before the 2024 season got underway, and now, we will see the seven-time World Champion in the famous red race suit and car. It was a driver transfer that sent shockwaves across the paddock when it happened, but what does Lando Norris have to say about it now?
Hamilton and Mercedes became, arguably, the greatest driver and team combination ever seen in the world of F1, winning six drivers titles and eight constructors' titles while working together. However, after just missing out on record-breaking drivers title number eight in 2021, Mercedes have been unable to fight at the front of the grid, struggling with the new rule change. Before the 2024 season got underway, the 40-year-old made the huge move to leave the German team after 12 seasons to join Ferrari and look for his record-breaking eighth World Championship.
Now, with the Australian Grand Prix just a month away, kicking off the 2025 season, Hamilton will be looking to challenge right at the front once again, but he will have a fellow Brit in his way in the form of Norris. The McLaren driver finally for a taste of championship-battling in 2024, but he fell short of the drivers' title to Max Verstappen. However, a fine drive at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sealed McLaren's first team title since 1998, and the 25-year-old will be hoping to back that up.
Norris ready to fight Hamilton: "Doesn't make a difference"
There is an expectation for both Hamilton and Norris to be battling for the title in 2025, and even though the McLaren driver will be fighting against Hamilton in a Ferrari, nothing has changed his mind: "When I'm on track, it doesn't make a difference," says the Brit while speaking on the This Morning show on the British broadcaster ITV.
"It's the same when you're on track with anyone. There are always guys you give extra metres to, and there are guys that you can race well, and Lewis is one of those guys. I'm excited to race against him more this year. It's always an honour to race against someone like him, and always something I'm excited for.
"I want to prove myself. He obviously wants to prove himself, like he'll continue to do and fight until he stops in Formula 1," continued Norris, excited about the prospect of facing off against one of his idols in a potential title fight.
Norris was then asked about his opinion of Hamilton's huge move to Ferrari, to which the 25-year-old said: "It's a cool story for him to go to Ferrari after everything he's achieved, I think it's a cool step. A lot of people said maybe it's not the right thing to do and so forth. But I would probably do the same if I was in his position!
"It looks cool. It's an amazing story for him, and I know he's going to want to go there with a fresh mindset and show everyone that he's still got the Lewis Hamilton he has shown for many, many years prior," concluded Norris.