McLaren came into the 2025 Formula 1 season as the clear favourites. The Woking-based outfit kicked off the year with victory at the Australian Grand Prix.
McLaren are the defending constructors’ champions after claiming their first title in 26 years in 2024. The team are looking to retain their crown and dethrone Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship – Lando Norris missed out by 63 points last season.
The Woking squad had the fastest package for much of the 2024 season – and this year’s challenger has clearly taken another step forward. ‘Everyone in the paddock’ felt McLaren was fastest in pre-season testing in Bahrain and had a sizeable advantage over their rivals.
However, McLaren looked to play down their progress and take the pressure off them. Norris said Ferrari would surprise people with their pace at the Australian Grand Prix – but the race only proved to people the gap between the defending constructors’ champions and the rest of the field.
Ferrari – and in fact everyone else – were nowhere near McLaren as Norris and Oscar Piastri built a substantial gap in first and second at the midway point. Verstappen made a rare mistake in the tricky conditions at turn 11 and gave his rivals a one-two as the rain hit.
The McLaren duo’s pace was frightening all weekend in Melbourne – Piastri was three tenths quicker in second than Verstappen in qualifying. It has led some F1 drivers to doubt their title chances – much to the delight of McLaren.
Jamie Chadwick says some F1 drivers think ‘they’ve already lost’ the 2025 championship to McLaren
Norris went on to win the Australian Grand Prix from Verstappen. The Dutchman made a late charge for the win after Piastri spun at turn 13 and beached his MCL39 on the grass – eventually finishing P9.
Verstappen proved he can challenge for wins in wet weather conditions. However, Marc Priestley thinks Red Bull are not ‘anywhere near’ McLaren after Melbourne – and it seems the former knows that too.
Verstappen says McLaren are the only title contenders in 2025 after their display in pre-season testing, Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Jamie Chadwick says some F1 drivers feel ‘they’ve already lost’ to McLaren in 2025.
“The difference they don’t know is how far the other teams have gone and the progress they’ve made,” she said.
“In testing, there’s often this kind of sandbagging term. A lot of people don’t display their full cards and I think that was maybe the case in Bahrain a bit with McLaren.
“So going to Australia, they definitely have a big pace advantage. They all like to play mind games, I think I’ve heard a few drivers throw out, they think that they’ve already lost the championship to McLaren, you know McLaren have got a huge advantage.
“I think it’s going to be closer than that. I think Ferrari didn’t show all their performance at the weekend. Obviously Mercedes have a rookie in their team so once he’s up to speed as well, I think it’s going to be a lot closer for the rest of the year.”
McLaren have a ‘season-long problem’ with team orders in 2025
While Norris grabbed the win in the 2025 season opener, McLaren again caused controversy with team orders.
The Woking-based outfit did not shy away from intervening with their drivers in 2024 to try and win the drivers’ title. McLaren say they will keep team orders in 2025 – and they came into effect in Melbourne.
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Piastri was lapping four tenths quicker than Norris in second and looked to use DRS to overtake and lead his home race. But McLaren instructed the Aussie to hold position as they approached backmarkers.
McLaren fans hated the decision as they later told Piastri he was free to race again, but after he had fallen two seconds behind thanks to a minor off at turn six.
Martin Brundle thinks McLaren have a ‘season-long problem’ with team orders in 2025. Both Norris and Piastri want to fight at the front and whoever gets the star treatment will be a headache for the team across the year.
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