McLaren are looking to defend their constructors’ championship in 2025. The Woking-based outfit claimed the title for the first time in 26 years in 2024.
It has been an incredible road to recovery for McLaren. Just 18 months ago they arguably had the slowest car – now they come into the 2025 campaign as strong contenders.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri grabbed six wins and 21 podiums between them last year. Their consistency with no retirements – Norris stopped after colliding with Max Verstappen in Austria but was still classified – and one non-points finish each was key to their title success.
McLaren won by 14 points over Ferrari and 77 over defending champions Red Bull. Norris mounted a challenge to Verstappen for the drivers’ title but was ultimately unsuccessful, losing by 63 points after the Dutchman built a substantial lead at the start of the year.
Heading into 2025, it is expected to be a highly competitive and tense battle at the front between McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes. After pre-season testing in Bahrain, second to fourth seems very interchangeable.
But the general feeling is many know who is on top going into the Australian Grand Prix – and it seems their rivals know that too.
Helmut Marko says McLaren are ‘two to three tenths’ ahead of Red Bull after testing
Pre-season testing is not much to go by in terms of lap times due to differing track conditions and programmes from the teams. For example, Norris was quickest on day one but P14 on day two.
But after three days of testing, the F1 paddock sees McLaren on top and by some distance. Their pace over one lap and in the race simulations has put them firmly ahead of their rivals.
McLaren’s performance was reminiscent of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna and how dominant they were during their time with the Woking-based outfit. Red Bull chief Helmut Marko knows the team have the edge over the Milton Keynes squad, proclaiming they are ‘two to three tenths’ ahead.
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Marko said via sport.de about testing: “It’s hard to say exactly what that looks like because the weather conditions were completely out of the norm. It was cold, there was a strong wind. It even rained,” explains Marko. And Verstappen didn’t do any long runs at the same times. So comparability is a problem.
“It was only on Wednesday that we were on a par with McLaren. But on Friday, on the last day, I would say that our deficit in the long run is currently two to three tenths. In addition, McLaren’s tire wear was also significantly better than our data indicated,” said Marko.
“With this car, McLaren is the favourite everywhere.”
McLaren and Ferrari face visit from FIA delegates after Red Bull complaint about their cars
Heading into the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren are being tipped to come out on top. Karun Chandhok backs Piastri to win his home race – something that no Aussie has ever achieved in F1.
Red Bull clearly no longer have the fastest car and are even being placed behind Mercedes in fourth by some after a difficult test by their own admission.
But the Milton Keynes outfit have been scrutinising their rivals’ cars before taking to the track on a race weekend. Red Bull were heavily critical of McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ in Baku, which Pierre Wache believes is still being used despite the Woking-based outfit agreeing to change the design.
Ferrari face a rear wing examination from the FIA – as well as McLaren – ahead of the season opener in Melbourne. Red Bull have prepared an ‘official and accusatory file’ which claims the Maranello outfit have breached the regulations regarding their rear wing.
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