McLaren Dominates F1 2025: Red Bull’s Verstappen Left Reeling as Team Principal Confirms Key Weakness!
In a shocking twist in the thrilling saga of F1 2025, McLaren has emerged as an unstoppable force, leaving reigning champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull scrambling for answers. The McLaren MCL39 has unveiled its secret weapon: blistering performance in medium-speed corners, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the paddock. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies candidly admitted that McLaren is “killing us” in this crucial area, and the implications for the championship battle are monumental.
Verstappen, the four-time World Champion, has been relentless in his pursuit of a fifth consecutive title, clinching victories in the Japanese and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix early in the season. However, as the dust settles with just ten rounds to go, Verstappen now finds himself a staggering 97 points adrift of McLaren’s championship leader, Oscar Piastri. And if that wasn’t enough, Lando Norris is hot on Piastri’s heels, just nine points behind his teammate, intensifying the already fierce competition.
McLaren has solidified its dominance with a jaw-dropping string of four consecutive one-two finishes, showcasing their supremacy on the track. Three of those races saw Norris emerge victorious, proving that the McLaren team is not just a contender but a powerhouse in F1 2025.
Verstappen himself has pointed out the critical advantages of the McLaren MCL39. “It’s definitely better on its tyres,” he stated during a media interaction at the Hungarian Grand Prix. “They can keep the tyres alive a lot nicer.” This remarkable tyre management has been particularly evident in wet conditions, where the fragility of tyres can make or break a race. Verstappen lauded McLaren’s control over this aspect, acknowledging the strategic edge it gives them.
Moreover, he highlighted the car’s astonishing medium-speed performance, remarking, “You can clearly see that the rotation they have on the front axle, without losing the rear, is something… quite incredible to see.” This performance gap is something Red Bull is eager to close, as Mekies confirmed the truth in Verstappen’s assessment. “You are completely correct in saying that compared to McLaren, where they are killing us on most tracks, is the medium speed corners, period,” Mekies admitted, underscoring the need for Red Bull to adapt and improve.
The latest race in Hungary was a painful reminder for Red Bull, with Verstappen finishing a dismal P9 and teammate Yuki Tsunoda failing to score points for the seventh consecutive race. Mekies succinctly summed up the team’s struggles, stating, “The fact that today we saw the issue in slow speed and middle speed corners, I think it’s more due to us falling out of our own car window.” With Red Bull now sitting fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing Mercedes by 42 points, the pressure is mounting.
As the F1 2025 season progresses, the spotlight remains firmly on McLaren, who have turned the championship into a gripping two-horse race. With their innovative designs and stellar performances, the question now is: can Red Bull find a way to reclaim their throne, or will McLaren continue to reign supreme? The battle for the crown has never been more electrifying!
