McLaren were the class of the field yet again as they secured a third one-two finish of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri has won more races than any of the Formula 1 grid combined, while Lando Norris has been super consistent all year long, failing to finish lower than fourth so far. McLaren’s supreme development over the last few years has put them in a really solid position.
It’s not the same case for their rivals down at Red Bull, though, who just suffered their worst race of the season so far, and remain fourth in the constructors’ championship. Winning a fifth consecutive title now looks less likely than ever for Max Verstappen.
McLaren used Red Bull’s most effective trick against them and have been able to remain fast despite various technical directives thrown their way. That’s a testament to the job of chief designer Rob Marshall, who has led the team’s development well.
After struggling for most of the season, Helmut Marko hit out at a ‘nonsense’ Verstappen theory and stands firm on where he will race in the future. He doesn’t believe that there is any chance of the Dutchman leaving Red Bull soon.
READ MORE: Mercedes could influence McLaren title battle if one ‘rogue’ issue from the Spanish Grand Prix continues
Rob Marshall ‘clearly’ targeted Christian Horner to gloat about Spanish Grand Prix achievement
The FIA’s recent flexi front wing directive was a big thing heading to Barcelona last week, but it turns out that it had little effect on the performance of most cars up and down the field.
In fact, Red Bull discovered an unexpected benefit for Verstappen and believe that their car is now easier to setup than it ever has been, while McLaren were able to lead from the front all weekend. It seems that the pecking order will be the same for the foreseeable future.
Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby did spot chief designer Marshall do something to ‘gloat’ about McLaren’s effective way of getting around the technical directive, which may not have pleased his ex-boss and current rival, Christian Horner.
“I went winner – Rob Marshall, as well. Because I saw them on the grid walk, he was talking to Christian Horner, being interviewed by David Coulthard,” he said.
“And I just wondered, he was going over there clearly to gloat and say ‘what loss of performance?’ to his old boss Christian Horner. Good old Rob Marshall, stiffer front wings have not pegged them back as McLaren’s chief designer.”
READ MORE: The secret start line trick Lando Norris used to avoid a false start at the Spanish Grand Prix
David Croft explains how £50 bracket has helped McLaren’s 2025 F1 car
Teams will have come up with different solutions to tackle the FIA’s latest technical directive, and McLaren’s may be the cheapest of them all, as David Croft explained.
“I would like to award winner of the week to the £50 bracket that McLaren put on their front wing that has stiffened it up and made absolutely no difference to their dominance whatsoever,” he said.
“The words of Rob Marshall who I spoke to on Sunday night. ‘Yeah it’s a £50 bracket, but knowing us, it probably cost three grand.’ That to me, is the story and they are the winners.
“Rob believes the technical directive will have no effect whatsoever and that Red Bull are still looking in the wrong places.”
If Red Bull are looking in the wrong places, then they’re going to have to realise it soon, otherwise they risk falling behind their rivals.
