McLaren lost their 100% start to the 2025 Formula 1 season at Suzuka. Max Verstappen fended off pressure from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to claim his first win of the year.
The Woking-based outfit came into 2025 as the clear favourites after winning the constructors’ championship in 2024. McLaren had the fastest package come the end of the season and carried that momentum into the winter period.
The MCL39 has a clear pace advantage over the rest of the field, which Norris and Piastri proved in the opening two races. The former converted pole to victory in Melbourne despite a late charge from Verstappen, while the latter commanded the Chinese Grand Prix after claiming his first career pole.
McLaren looked set to continue their dominance at the Japanese Grand Prix as the duo went two tenths clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. However, Verstappen produced an ‘astounding’ qualifying lap to take pole from Norris by just 12 thousandths of a second.
In a Grand Prix described by Piastri as ‘boring,’ the reigning champion held on to win the race from the McLarens, helped massively by the clean air out in front.
The Japanese GP saw just one overtake inside the top 10 as neither McLaren could mount a challenge to Verstappen in the dirty air. While the race proves the Dutchman cannot be ruled out of the championship race – even in inferior machinery – there is a concern for Red Bull heading into the next two events.
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‘Experts’ expect McLaren to have the advantage in the hotter temperatures in Bahrain and Jeddah
In a report by Auto Motor und Sport, many ‘experts’ believe that McLaren will have the advantage in the hotter temperatures. With the Bahrain Grand Prix and Jeddah next up, it is a perfect opportunity for the Woking squad to capitalise.
The opening three races were ‘quite chilly’ in comparison, as was pre-season testing at Sakhir back in February. Now, in April, the track temperature and weather conditions will be significantly warmer in Bahrain – music to McLaren’s ears.
However, this will be a concern for Verstappen, especially considering that Red Bull have struggled to find the right balance for the RB21. Despite winning at Suzuka, the team cannot find the right operating window at the moment.
Andrea Stella doubts Verstappen can ‘make the difference’ throughout the season. While he has extracted the most out of the RB21 so far, it is clear the machine is inferior compared to McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.
So far, Verstappen has scored all of Red Bull’s points in 2025. While Yuki Tsunoda improved on Liam Lawson by reaching Q2 at Suzuka – something the New Zealander failed to do in the opening two races – he was still off the pace to his teammate and ex-Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar.
The second car is not capable of scoring points, regardless of which driver is piloting it. While Verstappen can still fight at the front, the hotter track conditions in the Middle East could expose Red Bull’s weakness.
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McLaren have created a major problem with their drivers and team orders – Christian Horner agrees
While McLaren have a major advantage going into Bahrain and Jeddah, there is potentially one thing standing in their way: themselves.
The team have constantly reiterated that Norris and Piastri are both number one drivers as the pair are looking to fight for the championship. Already in 2025, team orders have caused controversy at McLaren.
In two of the three races thus far, Piastri has been ordered to hold back behind Norris. He was told to hold position in Melbourne before he spun onto the grass in the rain and finished P9.
In Japan, he was not let by Norris to attack Verstappen despite arguably being quicker. Mark Webber gave a telling reaction to McLaren’s decision – he knows first hand from his Red Bull days about being ordered to stay behind his teammate.
Webber and Piastri will no doubt be frustrated as McLaren have a clear problem with who to prioritise in the title fight. Christian Horner thinks McLaren have compromised themselves by letting their two drivers compete – Verstappen being prioritised by Red Bull could give him the upper hand.
