Lando Norris should arguably be the favourite for the 2025 Formula 1 title. McLaren won the constructors’, suggesting they had the fastest car on balance over the course of the year.
Norris ultimately finished 63 points behind Max Verstappen. But much of Verstappen’s advantage was built in the early races as he took four wins from five.
That was before McLaren’s transformative upgrade edged them ahead of Red Bull. And with minimal changes to the regulations, they should in theory be able to retain their advantage.
F1’s 2026 regulation changes are some of the most extensive in the sport’s recent history. In that context, it was decided to keep the 2025 cars largely the same as their predecessors.
In terms of the sporting rules, the fastest lap point has been removed. This was a source of controversy at the Singapore GP, when Red Bull-affiliated driver Daniel Ricciardo nicked the accolade from race winner Norris.
Elsewhere, there are moves to protect driver welfare. New cooling equipment will be introduced, and the minimum weight will be increased.
Changes to F1 DRS rules may negatively impact McLaren in 2025
Perhaps the most significant change concerns the drag reduction system, or DRS. F1 has reduced the minimum gap in a closed rear wing to 13.4 millimetres.
They have also expressly stipulated that the rear wing can only have two settings – open and shut. It must return to, and remain in, its original form at the end of a DRS zone.
READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine: The F1 rule change that could hurt Lando Norris and McLaren during the 2025 season
As noted by Autosport, this is seemingly a response to McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ trick during the 2024 season. Footage showed movement in the bodywork to increase the slot gap, which improved their straight-line speed.
The Woking outfit likely knew this was coming – they modified their controversial design following a dialogue with the FIA.
But by that point, they had already used it to win the Azerbaijan GP with Oscar Piastri. They netted 28 vital points for the constructors’ as Norris finished fourth, but they won’t be able to gain any advantage from their grey-area trick next year.
McLaren imposed restriction on Lando Norris during F1 title celebrations
Red Bull felt the 2024 season was unfair, alleging in private that McLaren overhauled their advantage by unlawful means. While the FIA imposed no penalties on the Woking outfit, Christian Horner will see the rule changes as vindication.
Likewise, Verstappen says Red Bull had ‘no chance at all’ in certain races because of ‘things that happened in the background’. This was a subtle hint at the team’s grievances.
Ferrari, who have signed Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc, look best-placed to dethrone McLaren next year. They’ll feel it’s their turn to end a drought.
McLaren’s 2024 title was their first since 1998. Norris was prevented from filming the celebrations as the team jetted off to Bahrain after the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Leave feedback about this