Christian Horner warns McLaren they’ve created a ‘problem’ for themselves that ‘always comes with compromises’

McLaren and Red Bull are fighting for both championships as Lando Norris plus Oscar Piastri attempt to dethrone Max Verstappen and lift the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title.

Verstappen has conquered F1’s summit in each of the past four seasons to become the joint-fourth-most successful driver so far. The Dutchman can also become just the second driver after Michael Schumacher to win five titles in a row if Verstappen retains his crown this year.

Red Bull can also match Lotus as seven-time winners of the F1 constructors’ championship if the team from Milton Keynes can win back the title McLaren took from them. McLaren won their first title since 1998 last term for their ninth as the joint-second-most successful squad.

A chance to eclipse Williams is also on the table for McLaren as they bid to retain the teams’ championship for the first time since 1991. The Woking natives are the favourites to win the constructors’ title in 2025 and lead by 36 points after the first three rounds of the F1 season.

McLaren have a ‘problem’ with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fighting for the F1 title

McLaren ace Norris also leads the drivers’ championship but by just a point after Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position. The Briton failed to engage a serious battle at Suzuka after missing out on pole by just 0.012 seconds and held off Piastri to take second.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Piastri’s P3 finish at the Japanese GP still lifted the Australian into third place with a 13-point deficit to Norris. But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes McLaren have created a ‘problem’ for themselves after allowing Norris and Piastri to both fight for the drivers’ title.

Red Bull only have one horse in the title race, with Horner clear Yuki Tsunoda is Verstappen’s No2 after replacing Liam Lawson. So, the Milton Keynes outfit can put all of their eggs in the 27-year-old’s basket whilst McLaren must make ‘compromises’ to let Norris and Piastri fight.

Horner said, via AS: “The problem they have is that both of their drivers are fighting for the world championship. And it’s a challenge because they’ve opted to let them compete, and that always comes with compromises.”

McLaren could face an even bigger problem with their preference to win the teams’ title

Along with Horner’s belief that McLaren will face compromises with Norris and Piastri eying the drivers’ title, the Woking squad are also slightly compromised by their preference to lift the teams’ title. Andrea Stella is clear that McLaren’s priority is to win the constructors’ title.

READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

McLaren’s stance is not one that is shared in Milton Keynes as Horner has also revealed that Verstappen’s drivers’ title is Red Bull’s ‘clear’ focus following his victory in Japan. His win put the Dutchman one point off Norris in the standings but Red Bull already trail McLaren by 50.

If McLaren begin to focus on securing the constructors’ title over Norris and Piastri’s drivers’ title hopes, it could prove to be an even bigger problem than letting them fight. Red Bull will lap up any chance they get to see Verstappen score the maximum points available above all.