Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has highlighted McLaren’s significant edge over their rivals ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, citing their two-car consistency and front-row starts as pivotal factors in their 2024 Constructors’ Championship win.
McLaren’s dual-driver dominance
McLaren ended a 26-year wait for a Constructors’ Championship in 2024, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivering consistent results throughout the season. Despite Red Bull securing more race wins—nine compared to McLaren’s six—Horner noted that McLaren’s ability to consistently place both drivers at the sharp end of the grid was a decisive factor.
“They’ve had two drivers scoring consistently. Even though they’ve won fewer races, their front-row starts with both cars have given them an enormous advantage,” Horner said. “That benefit in a Constructors’ Championship fight cannot be underestimated.”
Norris and Piastri: A balanced rivalry
The partnership between Norris and Piastri has been key to McLaren’s success. Both drivers pushed each other to the limit, often battling for race wins. However, their professional dynamic has been a stark contrast to the infamous fallout between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost during their time as McLaren teammates.
Piastri dismissed any notion of a repeat of the Senna-Prost feud, emphasizing the mutual respect between himself and Norris.
“When we’ve come close on track or disagreed about decisions, we’ve always talked it through,” Piastri said. “If we win world championships like Senna and Prost, that would be great, but we won’t have the same kind of incidents they had.”
Ferrari’s late-season challenge
While McLaren celebrated their Constructors’ title, Ferrari came close to stealing the crown, thanks to strong late-season performances. Red Bull, meanwhile, faced a disappointing campaign, with one car consistently underperforming and failing to contribute to the points tally.
Horner admitted that Ferrari and McLaren both posed formidable challenges, but McLaren’s consistency gave them the upper hand.
The battle ahead in 2025
As the 2025 season approaches, the playing field appears more level than in recent years, with multiple teams showing the potential to challenge for both championships. For McLaren, maintaining their momentum will be critical to fending off Red Bull, Ferrari, and other emerging contenders.
“McLaren’s pace of development through 2025 will determine if they can stay at the top,” Horner said, acknowledging the intense competition expected this season.
A new era of rivalry
The dynamic between Norris and Piastri, combined with McLaren’s resurgence, promises to make the 2025 season a thrilling battle. Red Bull and Ferrari are gearing up for a renewed fight, but McLaren’s balanced approach and driver synergy could keep them as favorites in the championship race.
