The National Times - Norris and McLaren hungry for more silverware in 2025

The Briton came tantalisingly close to dethroning Red Bull's Max Verstappen as world champion in 2024 and is widely expected to be battling at the front of the grid again this year.

"It's motivated everyone even more from a team perspective," he said of the constructors' crown.

"The team got their first chance in 26 years to experience what it's like to win a championship and I think it's made them hungrier now that they know what it's like.

"I think it's good to acknowledge as a whole team that there will be more expectation now, more eyes, more pressure, more competitors trying to bring you down."

McLaren were among the quickest at pre-season testing in Bahrain, with Norris and his Oscar Piastri looking to lay down a marker at the season-opening race in Melbourne this week.

Norris said he was excited by what lay ahead after showing last year that he could thrive under the weight of expectation and in high-pressure situations.

"I'm excited about the season, but very calm," he said on the McLaren website.

"I feel relaxed. From a personal side, I don't feel any more pressure. I'm always nervous and will always be, but that turns into excitement.

"One (thing I've learnt) is that I can do it, and I've got what it takes," he added.

McLaren started last season slowly before an upgrade at the sixth round in Miami radically improved their fortunes and allowed Norris to take his first win. But that still left him 53 points behind Verstappen.

Norris attempted to claw back the deficit as Red Bull's supremacy was eroded, but his title bid ran out of steam.

"This is the most confident I've been in the team and probably the most confident I have been in myself," he said.

"It's honestly not a big change, it's quite small, but I feel more prepared and a more complete driver than I've ever been.

"Achieving what we did last year makes you believe you can do it again. That belief is what gives you the most confidence."

M.Wilson--TNT