McLaren come into the 2025 Formula 1 season off the back of winning their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
The Woking-based outfit built upon the momentum of 2023 where they enjoyed a meteoric rise from the back of the grid to fighting for podiums. After Lando Norris‘ first win at the Miami GP, McLaren arguably had the fastest package in 2024.
Red Bull fell backwards with their performance – not helped by Sergio Perez’s woeful form from Miami onwards – as McLaren and Ferrari took advantage and fought for the title. The former clinched the Constructors’ Championship over their Italian rivals by just 14 points.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
666 |
| 2 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
652 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
589 |
| 4 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
468 |
| 5 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
94 |
| 6 |
Alpine F1 Team |
65 |
| 7 |
Haas F1 Team |
58 |
| 8 |
Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team |
46 |
| 9 |
Williams F1 Team |
17 |
| 10 |
Sauber F1 Team |
4 |
Now, McLaren are searching for the drivers’ title. Norris lost out to Max Verstappen by 63 points last season and will be one of the favourites heading into 2025.
But he will have to watch his mirrors for his teammate Oscar Piastri, who will be free of the team’s ‘papaya rules’ which saw him step back to help Norris’ title charge. Piastri wants to avoid team orders in 2025 as he looks to establish himself as McLaren’s main driver this year.
The Woking-based outfit will be preparing intensely for 2025 as CEO Zak Brown says McLaren will race Verstappen differently having learned valuable lessons racing against him last year. As part of their preparations to get the edge over the Dutchman, they could have another driver available to them.
McLaren could do clandestine deal to use Valtteri Bottas in 2025
McLaren are yet to confirm their reserve driver for the 2025 season behind Norris and Piastri. Pato O’Ward likely is a strong candidate having had numerous tests and FP1 outings with the team.
But according to a report from the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, the Woking-based outfit could share Valtteri Bottas with Mercedes.
The Finn has returned to the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver after he departed from Sauber. Bottas won 10 races with the team as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate between 2017-2021.
The 35-year-old would be a solid option to call upon should Mercedes need to replace George Russell or Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the season. But Bottas could also be used by McLaren.
The report claims that the Finn could be ‘shared in the reserve role with McLaren if necessary’, even if there is ‘no official communication’ between the two teams.
Valtteri Bottas is eyeing a return to the F1 grid
His exit from Sauber will mark the first time the 35-year-old will be off the grid since 2012. Bottas says it will be ‘weird’ not racing in 2025.
That is why the Finn is looking to use his reserve role with Mercedes – and possibly McLaren – as preparation for a potential return to a full-time seat in 2026.
Bottas has already had talks with Cadillac over a potential seat next year. The American brand are set to become F1’s 11th team and are searching for an experienced driver – which the Finn has in abundance.
Cadillac seems like his best option for an F1 return, but the 10-time Grand Prix winner is looking to stay long-term. Bottas says he will not accept a one-year contract as he believes he still has a couple more years left in him to compete.
