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McLaren’s Golden Opportunity: A Championship Double or Bust?

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 1, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
McLaren’s Championship Win Comes with a $6.1M Price Tag: The Steepest F1 Entry Fee in 2025

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 McLaren chief executive Zak Brown with team members celebrate after McLaren's Lando Norris wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and McLaren win the constructors title REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms, Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, and the entire McLaren Racing organization find themselves standing at the precipice of greatness. With a race-winning car and a driver lineup that boasts proven talent and untapped potential, McLaren is primed to deliver what fans have been waiting for: a long-overdue championship double.

But with expectations soaring, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has issued a stark challenge to the Woking-based outfit: seize the moment, or risk being remembered as the team that let history slip through its fingers.


Lando Norris: Fluke or Future Champion?

Villeneuve didn’t hold back when evaluating McLaren’s lead driver, Lando Norris, who came tantalizingly close to dethroning Max Verstappen in 2024. Norris proved his mettle, delivering wins and podiums en route to nearly upsetting Verstappen’s four-year title streak. But Villeneuve believes 2025 will be the ultimate test of Norris’s credentials.

“Lando Norris needs to prove last season wasn’t a fluke,” Villeneuve remarked. “That he can consistently race on Max’s level. If he can consistently beat Oscar Piastri, he will have cemented his position, and McLaren will have to support him to win the Drivers’ Championship.”

While Norris’s talent is undisputed, his ability to withstand the relentless pressure of battling Verstappen—and a rapidly improving Oscar Piastri—will define McLaren’s season. For Villeneuve, the stakes are clear: Norris must rise to the occasion to secure the ultimate prize.


Oscar Piastri: The Dark Horse

In Oscar Piastri, McLaren has a driver brimming with potential. The young Australian showcased flashes of brilliance in 2024, earning his first career victory and proving he could challenge the best. Villeneuve sees Piastri as both a weapon for McLaren and a potential disruptor in Norris’s title bid.

“Oscar is a champion in the making,” Villeneuve noted. “But for McLaren, the key will be how they manage the internal dynamic. If Lando falters, Oscar will seize the opportunity, and that could create friction.”

Managing this delicate balance will be a critical task for Zak Brown and Andrea Stella as they aim to avoid intra-team chaos while maximizing their championship aspirations.


Missed Opportunities in 2024

Reflecting on McLaren’s 2024 campaign, Villeneuve was candid about the team’s shortcomings.

“McLaren lost so many points in the Drivers’ Championship. They missed a great opportunity to put pressure on Max. They could have been world champions.”

While McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship, Villeneuve dismissed its significance to fans, pointing out that the spotlight always shines brightest on the Drivers’ Champion.

“The Constructors’ Championship just puts money in the bank. For the fans, it’s very minor. To say, ‘The Drivers’ Championship wasn’t important,’ is just a fallacy.”


The Path to 2025 Glory

For McLaren, the path to a historic double lies in their ability to learn from 2024’s mistakes and harness the full potential of their driver lineup. The RB21 may have exposed cracks in Red Bull’s dominance, but Max Verstappen remains a formidable opponent. Villeneuve emphasized that beating Verstappen will require not just speed, but flawless execution.

“Beating Max Verstappen will never be easy, no matter what Red Bull he is driving.”


Villeneuve’s Verdict

The 2025 season presents a rare alignment of stars for McLaren. With a competitive car, two world-class drivers, and a clear shot at both championships, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Villeneuve’s message to the team is clear: no excuses, no distractions—this is McLaren’s moment to redefine its legacy.

Will McLaren deliver the double and reclaim its place at the pinnacle of Formula 1? Or will internal challenges and Verstappen’s brilliance thwart their ambitions once again? The countdown to an electrifying season begins.

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