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McLaren’s dangerous gamble: can two drivers survive against Red Bull’s ruthless dominance?

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 17, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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McLaren’s dangerous gamble: can two drivers survive against Red Bull’s ruthless dominance?

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - May 24, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates after qualifying in pole position with third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

McLaren’s Daring Driver Dilemma: Is Their Strategy on the Brink of Collapse?

In an explosive revelation that could shake the very foundations of Formula 1, former racer Derek Daly has sounded the alarm on McLaren’s audacious approach to managing their star drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. As the season drew to a close, McLaren found itself in the enviable position at the top of the standings, allowing both of its drivers to fiercely contend for the championship. However, the tides turned dramatically when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen roared back into contention, igniting a fierce battle that left fans on the edge of their seats.

Norris clinched the championship title by a razor-thin margin of just two points ahead of Verstappen, with Piastri lagging behind in third place. McLaren’s decision to keep the competition between their two talented racers fierce and unfettered was a gamble—one that could prove unsustainable in the long run as Daly warns, “No, I don’t. That’s going to be an issue for them.”

Daly’s commentary raises eyebrows, especially considering McLaren’s reluctance to favor one driver over another, even as Verstappen’s looming threat intensified. The team hinted they might intervene at the final race if the title was at risk, but the question remains: can they continue this hands-off approach? According to Daly, the answer is a resounding no. “If Max Verstappen didn’t have his bad run in the middle of the season, he would have been a world champion because they favor him,” he declared, drawing parallels to how Ferrari historically backed Michael Schumacher during his reign.

The narrative takes a darker turn for McLaren as Daly underscores the inherent challenges of backing two drivers in a cutthroat environment dominated by singular support from rival teams like Red Bull. “It’s extremely difficult, if not almost impossible, to genuinely back two drivers when you’re against a team like Red Bull, who will back just one driver to beat the two of theirs,” he asserted, laying bare the harsh realities of Formula 1 politics.

The mid-season slump experienced by Red Bull significantly impacted Verstappen’s performance, causing him to miss crucial podiums and ultimately costing him what many believe should have been his fifth consecutive title. “There’s no doubt Verstappen is the best man in F1,” Daly proclaimed, reinforcing the notion that the best package must function seamlessly for a team to thrive. The missteps during that critical phase of the season proved costly, as Daly succinctly put it: “Proving that you have to have all the pieces of the package operating at a high level showed that their lull in the midseason cost them dearly.”

As the dust settles on this electrifying season, McLaren finds itself at a crossroads. Will they cling to their bold strategy of dual support, or will they succumb to the pressures of the relentless competition? Only time will tell if they can navigate these treacherous waters without capsizing under the weight of their own ambitions. The world will be watching closely as McLaren’s daring gamble unfolds in the coming seasons.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipLando Norrismax-verstappen-enOscar Piastri
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