As the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds, McLaren seems poised to dominate both the Drivers and Constructors’ championships. However, Ferrari may still have a few tricks up their sleeve, as suggested by motorsport analysts on the Total Motorsport F1 Show.
Brandon Sutton, a seasoned F1 writer for Total Motorsport, predicts that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will command the fastest cars on the circuit. Their blazing speed, evidenced during the recent three-day testing session in Bahrain and their commendable progress throughout 2024, places them ahead of the pack.
Despite the early speculation, Sutton cautiously notes, “It may be premature to declare McLaren the clear winners. Let’s not forget, Norris has expressed some concerns about the vehicle’s rear end, which could potentially affect tyre wear and overall vehicle balance.”
Joining Sutton in his analysis, fellow F1 journalist Ewan Gale points to the 24-hour track data from the Sakhir International Circuit. The race simulations indicate that McLaren is set to take pole position at the inaugural race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 16. “The striking performance displayed by McLaren towards the end of the long runs sets them apart from their competitors,” Gale observes.
However, despite McLaren’s impressive speed around most F1 tracks for nearly a year, Andrea Stella’s team fell short in the Drivers’ Championship. They did manage to wrestle the Constructors’ crown from Red Bull, though.
Gale further notes that Ferrari’s knack for translating speed into points cannot be overlooked. He spotlights the looming threat from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, both renowned for their exceptional qualifying prowess.
Expounding on his observations, Gale states, “Although McLaren had the edge in terms of pace towards the end of last season, when it came to accruing points, Ferrari led the charge. They appeared set to overtake McLaren until the latter regained some control in the final races. And let’s not forget, Ferrari’s race pace, adjusted for tyres and fuel, is only about two-tenths down. That’s where the points really matter.”
On the subject of qualifying, Gale affirms, “Ferrari isn’t far behind. Leclerc is a formidable qualifier and it will be interesting to see if Hamilton can regain his top form.”
As the season progresses, Ferrari’s “secret weapons” – their ability to convert pace into points and their drivers’ qualifying expertise – might just tip the scales in their favor. Even as McLaren leads the charge, the prancing horse isn’t far behind.
