The likes of Max Verstappen, George Russell and the Ferrari drivers can’t be ruled out of the F1 championship fight this year, but it appears that there’s a good chance the championship will come down to both McLaren drivers.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a victory apiece already this season and impressed in equal measures in Australia and China.
McLaren have already established a lead in the constructors’ championship, although both drivers have slipped up on the race weekends where they weren’t standing on the top step of the podium.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
78 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
57 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
36 |
| 4 |
Williams F1 Team |
17 |
| 5 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
17 |
| 6 |
Haas F1 Team |
14 |
| 7 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
10 |
| 8 |
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
6 |
| 9 |
Racing Bulls |
3 |
| 10 |
Alpine F1 Team |
0 |
Piastri slipped off the road at his home race, costing him at least a podium as he recovered to finish P9.
His British teammate made a similar mistake in the Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix, before Norris managed a brake issue that meant he couldn’t rival Piastri in Shanghai.
The pair have only won eight Grand Prix between them, but that tally is expected to rapidly increase throughout 2025.
The only question is if either of them has what it takes to deny Verstappen his fifth world championship on the bounce.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
Juan Pablo Montoya explains how Oscar Piastri can ‘destroy’ Lando Norris
Former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya was speaking to the Mirror about the expected title battle between Norris and Piastri.
They both have a pole position to their name this year, and talking about the Australian’s chances, he said: “The only chance that Oscar has is to really start out-qualifying Lando.
“Because if he can out-qualify Lando enough, I think it will destroy Lando mentally.
“But if Lando can survive this, for like the next three or four races, Lando can beat him.
“I think then Lando will have him all year long.”
Two races.
One special team.2/24 complete 🧡 #McLaren pic.twitter.com/N0jvr0697K
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 26, 2025
Piastri has been told to work on his qualifying after Norris got the better of him more often than not last year.
He was on top form in China and after securing the first pole position of his career, he’ll be full of confidence that he can beat Norris on a regular basis.
Piastri has also demonstrated that he’s improved his tyre management this year, something he was criticised by Nico Rosberg for last season.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend
Juan Pablo Montoya debates whether Lewis Hamilton can challenge McLaren in 2025
Although McLaren have started the season the strongest of all 10 teams on the grid, they demonstrated last year that one strong mid-season update package can completely change the pecking order.
Ferrari are concerned with McLaren’s car due to its impressive performance, and their double disqualification in Shanghai has only raised more concerns about whether they’re ready to challenge for a title.
Talking about Ferrari’s start to 2025, Montoya said: “You can’t count Lewis out of anything this year yet, but the question is how well does Ferrari react?
“You can tell they’re not far off, but they’re not where McLaren is. They’re like two upgrades away from being good, two steps behind.”
Hamilton is coming to the same realisation as Michael Schumacher after his first few races with the Scuderia.
Unfortunately, he’s unlikely to have the same amount of time as the German did to turn things around, and McLaren’s early dominance suggests he’ll be praying that Ferrari can come out on top in the 2026 development race with new regulations on the horizon.
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