2025 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons in McLaren’s Formula 1 history as they chase a special title double.
Lando Norris is one of the favourites for the drivers’ championship and now has a little more experience in his pursuit of a maiden crown.
McLaren hid their true pace at pre-season testing but there were hints that they may be dominant over longer runs.
Oscar Piastri is expected to go toe-to-toe with his teammate this year, having had two seasons to settle into the car and learn about its characteristics.
McLaren may have discovered the ‘secret’ of the F1 rules by managing to bring developments to their car without upsetting the balance at most tracks.
Mercedes engineers were ‘shocked’ by Norris’ data ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and believe that the Brit would beat Kimi Antonelli by 30 seconds on current pace.
READ MORE: Unseen Lando Norris onboard footage highlighted something ‘extremely impressive’ about McLaren’s 2025 F1 car
Marc Priestley fears ‘total disaster’ at McLaren if Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fight for F1 title
Piastri admitted one 2024 move on Norris wasn’t appropriate after causing a stir on lap one of the Italian Grand Prix.
For the first time, it showed that the two may not be the best of friends when it comes to fighting on the track. It was at a time of real need for Norris, who needed to win to keep his title hopes alive.
Marc Priestley is worried that a similar level of disregard could produce a nightmare situation for his ex-team in 2025.
“They go in 25′, day one, both drivers have the same shot at winning the title,” he said. “If they produce a car that is either the quickest or right up there, the only thing standing between them and the world championship is probably the other one.
“I’ve never seen a situation ever in Formula 1, and I don’t believe it’s true it can happen, where the drivers stay friends when that’s the scenario. It rarely happens. It happened with us in 2007 with Fernando and Lewis – total disaster. It happened with Nico and Lewis at Mercedes again,” Priestley continued.
“This isn’t just about Lewis by the way. This is the rare occurrence when your car is dominant and there’s no other challenge from outside. It’s one of your two drivers is going to win the one thing they’ve both dreamt of since [being] kids.”
READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer shares what Lando Norris did during F1 testing that ‘caught the eye’ of the paddock
Who are McLaren’s closest Formula 1 competitors during the 2025 season?
With the 2026 F1 regulations around the corner, most teams aren’t too keen on investing too much of their resources in 2025.
There’s far more to gain in the long term by spending more time on next year’s car, but that does present an opportunity for those who may be in a position to win now.
Take Red Bull for example. If they start the year with clearly the fourth-best car, there’s little point in developing it further and they can focus on 2026 early. That eliminates one dangerous opponent for McLaren.
Those just behind such as Williams and Alpine may then sense an opportunity to get ahead of Red Bull in 2025 and bring some extra upgrades which could bring them into the top half battle.
Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to push at any opportunity for success, particularly if one of their big threats are eliminated, so expect them to be McLaren’s main competitors in 2025.
