Norris criticizes Russell's relaxed approach after victory

Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, is being cautious as he looks ahead to the 2025 Formula One season. This follows his recent victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Norris responded to George Russell from Mercedes after Russell suggested that McLaren could focus on the 2026 season due to their strong performance. Norris criticized this mentality, warning that "if you relax, you fail" in F1. Russell’s comments came after McLaren locked out the front row in qualifying, with Norris taking pole and teammate Oscar Piastri placing second. Russell noted that McLaren’s dominant car might allow them to shift their attention to next year’s vehicle. He mentioned that this season could be highly competitive, involving teams like Red Bull and Ferrari. Norris achieved his fifth Grand Prix win at the Albert Park circuit, but Piastri struggled in the wet conditions and finished ninth. In a post-race press conference, Norris stressed that the season was still new and that many things could change quickly. He referenced how the team had significant improvements last season and dismissed Russell’s comments about shifting focus to 2026. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the current season, saying, “If you relax in this position, you fail.” Norris acknowledged that improvements could still be made to their car, though he felt the team was currently in a strong position with both drivers pushing each other. Mercedes also performed well in Melbourne, with Russell securing third place and his teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, finishing fourth.