McLaren secured their third one-two of the season with yet another impressive performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri has now managed more victories (five) than the rest of the field combined (four) and leads his teammate by 10 points in the drivers’ championship. He has shown more outright pace and consistency than Lando Norris.
However, the McLaren operation hasn’t been seamless. They were nearly outsmarted by a slower Red Bull car on a three-stop strategy in Spain, and on another day, they may not have secured a one-two finish. They’re not quite maximising their returns yet, as seen on multiple occasions previously, with their reluctance for team orders.
Norris ‘realised’ something about Piastri in Spain and, after taking time to assess their performance, discovered that the Australian was simply quicker than him. The Woking-based outfit did benefit from one thing, as Red Bull are realising they made a big mistake in focusing on their rivals’ work, not their own.
READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer has seen Oscar Piastri do something ‘no driver has’ to lead Lando Norris in 2025 F1 title fight
Ralf Schumacher spots problem McLaren ‘won’t be so happy’ with after watching their drivers
Norris was surprised by Piastri after joining McLaren and seeing how rapid he was in fast corners. It’s an advantage that may be showing as the season arrives at tracks in Italy, Belgium and Britain.
However, there have still been mistakes made this season. Piastri finished ninth at his home race, where he should have done better, while they should have won in Japan too, but were outsmarted by Red Bull once again.
Ralf Schumacher believes that their small mistakes may be a bit of an issue for them, and proves that they are not maximising their potential.
“I see a different problem at McLaren, and I know that team boss Andrea Stella won’t be so happy with me now. But we almost lost the victory,” he said. “Because if the Red Bull Racing car had been a bit faster, Max Verstappen could have beaten them with the three-stop strategy.
“This is yet another example of the team not operating at the car’s limits. They keep making small mistakes in qualifying. Perhaps they can’t even create a car the drivers trust.
“People like to blame these mistakes on the drivers, but it’s not just Lando Norris who makes these mistakes; Oscar Piastri also makes them from time to time. That suggests that the car is like this.”
READ MORE: McLaren chief ‘clearly’ targeted Red Bull’s Christian Horner at the Spanish Grand Prix to ‘gloat’ about one achievement
Oscar Piastri has a ‘talent’ which is giving Lando Norris problems at McLaren
For the first time this season, Piastri has shown that he can manage the Pirelli tyres and deliver speed on a Sunday when it matters.
It’s allowing him to flex his natural prowess, which he has spent the last few years working hard to build up to.
Piastri’s ‘talent’ is giving Norris problems, according to David Coulthard, and it’s something that should only grow to be a bigger issue.
It’s adding some pressure for Norris, who, for the first time in his career, is in a real position to fight for the title and must use everything he has learned to eclipse Piastri.
Leave feedback about this