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McLaren’s Champions Fall from Grace: Is Their 2025 F1 Dominance Crumbling?

Redação by Redação
October 5, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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McLaren’s Champions Fall from Grace: Is Their 2025 F1 Dominance Crumbling?

McLaren’s Formula 1 Reign in Jeopardy: A Disturbing Decline Exposed in Singapore!

In an astonishing twist of fate, McLaren, once the undisputed heavyweight of Formula 1, is suddenly grappling with a serious crisis as it heads towards the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. What should have been a triumphant surge toward back-to-back constructors’ championships has turned into a nightmarish reality check under the glittering lights of Marina Bay.

Despite needing a mere 13 points to secure the title, the team revealed a shocking vulnerability during qualifying. Oscar Piastri could only manage a disappointing third place, while Lando Norris limped into fifth—struggling to keep pace with both Mercedes and a reinvigorated Max Verstappen of Red Bull. This marked the third consecutive race where McLaren has failed to dominate the front row, revealing a troubling trend that raises significant concerns about their championship aspirations.

Team Principal Andrea Stella candidly acknowledged the grim reality, stating, “It’s a bit of both—some circuit sensitivity, but also clear areas where rivals have caught up.” Clearly, what once seemed like an unassailable lead is now under severe threat.

The Crippling Weaknesses of the MCL39

The data from practice sessions and qualifying paints a stark picture. On the demanding Marina Bay circuit, renowned for its long braking zones, the MCL39 faltered, losing crucial time to both the Mercedes W16 and Red Bull RB21. In low-speed sectors—those where traction and kerb-riding are paramount—Piastri and Norris fell approximately four-tenths of a second behind George Russell and two-tenths behind Verstappen. This is a far cry from their commanding 21-second victory in Singapore just a year prior.

Both drivers voiced frustrations over the car’s inability to grip the track over the relentless bumps, with complaints about front-axle response and mid-corner instability echoing through the garage. Stella explained that this trend has become evident across multiple circuits: “When we have braking with bumps and kerbs, we just seem to be suffering a bit.”

Tyre Troubles and Pirelli’s Impact

As if the performance issues weren’t enough, McLaren’s struggles are compounded by the new Pirelli tyre constructions for 2025. This year’s compounds are far more temperature-sensitive, exposing the MCL39’s persistent Achilles’ heel—its difficulty in managing front tyre wear without overloading them. “We keep having comments which highlight that the change of tyres from last year to this year plays a factor,” Stella noted, emphasizing how this year’s conditions starkly contrast those of 2024.

In hotter races, such as Qatar and Hungary, the car showed promise, but at a venue like Singapore, where mechanical grip and kerb response are critical, the front tyres quickly succumbed to graining. Norris’ data revealed a concerning 7°C difference in front-left tyre temperatures compared to Russell’s, a gap that directly correlates with front-end performance issues.

Development Stagnation: A Major Setback

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of McLaren’s current plight is the apparent halt in car development. Stella confirmed that the team has largely ceased major upgrades to focus on the 2026 project, leaving the MCL39 static while rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes have continued to evolve. “We’ve been focusing entirely on 2026 for a long time,” he admitted, as the team watches competitors close the gap in performance.

Mercedes showcased a new front wing in Singapore, which significantly improved Russell’s cornering ability, while Red Bull enhanced its floor design for better stability under braking—an area where McLaren once held a decisive advantage. This stagnation, combined with the car’s aerodynamic inefficiencies on bumpy tracks, has resulted in a loss of the edge they once had.

The Road Ahead: Can McLaren Recover?

While McLaren remains the favorite for the constructors’ title, the aura of invincibility that surrounded them earlier in the season has dramatically dissipated. Their simulations predict further challenges in Austin, another circuit characterized by tight braking zones. “I would expect that Austin will still be a bit of a struggle for us,” Stella said.

As the season progresses, it’s evident that McLaren must adapt quickly. The constructors’ title may still be within reach, but the team must confront a daunting reality: they are no longer the dominant force they once were. The relentless march of competition has forced them into a defensive position—a battle for efficiency rather than outright supremacy.

In the cutthroat arena of Formula 1, the relentless development war continues, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering: can McLaren reclaim its glory before the season’s end?

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipjamarr-chases-mercedes-maybachLando Norrismax-verstappen-enOscar Piastri
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