Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist at The O2 Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

McLaren boss Zak Brown was like a proud dad watching Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri take questions from the media earlier.

The team are being hunted by the rest of the pack in 2025, following their first constructors’ title win since 1998 last year. Norris said while there are more eyes on McLaren now, they “still want to feel like underdogs”.

It was Norris’ first run at the drivers’ championship in 2024 – he finished second to four-time world champion winner Max Verstappen – and the intensity of a title battle is something he will welcome once again.

“A lot of people think pressure is a bad thing but for me, it’s really the opposite,” said the Briton. “I think it’s a good thing. I still get nervous, I still feel pressure but I say my best performances have often come when it is around.”

For Oscar Piastri, his focus this year, if he wants to go wheel-to-wheel with Norris and Verstappen, will be on improving his Saturday performance. “Qualifying a bit better is probably high priority,” said the Australian.

Image source, BBC Sport