By Joe Murphy
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, has acknowledged that Max Verstappen is proving to be a significant factor in the early stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season, keeping the pressure on McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the championship standings.
After securing a dominant victory in Suzuka, Verstappen trails Norris by just a single point, with Piastri a further 12 points adrift, heading into this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite McLaren showing strong form with a competitive car, Verstappen’s consistency in extracting the maximum from every race means the title fight remains a tightly contested three-way battle.
“Max is certainly making the difference right now, and we can’t ignore his ability to perform under pressure,” Stella admitted. “At this stage, we treat Red Bull and Max as part of the competition, just like any other team, but we are aware of how much they can influence the outcome of a season.”
McLaren have made remarkable strides this year, but factors such as Piastri’s costly spin in Australia and Norris’ tough Sprint race in China, paired with Verstappen’s flawless results, have kept the fight for the title wide open. McLaren’s progress has been undeniable, but Stella acknowledges that Verstappen’s ability to maximize his performance in challenging conditions is crucial in maintaining his competitiveness.
“In China, Hamilton won the Sprint, Russell showed strong pace in the race, and in Suzuka, Max was once again a dominant force,” Stella noted. “We’re in a transitional phase at the moment, and it’s important to keep a realistic view of where we stand as we head into the second half of the season.”
According to Stella, the key to securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships lies in having the best car available on the grid. However, he emphasizes that being competitive is not just about winning, but also about maintaining consistency and making the most out of every opportunity.
“Max is currently making the difference, but it’s going to be incredibly difficult for anyone to challenge him over the course of 24 races if they don’t have the car to match,” said Stella. “We need to make sure we have the best car, but when we can’t win, we need to finish strongly, as consistency will be the key.”
McLaren is continuing to focus on improving their car, aiming to create a setup that will allow Norris and Piastri to fight exclusively for the title by clearing their competition. Stella underlined the importance of teamwork and strategy in competing with Red Bull, stating that to beat Verstappen and the reigning champions, McLaren must operate at the highest level, both in terms of performance and collaboration.
“To be successful, it’s not just about winning races,” Stella continued. “It’s about finding a balance of speed, reliability, and teamwork. If we can consistently secure second and third places, we’ll be in a strong position to capitalize on any opportunities as the season progresses.”
In the relentless battle for supremacy in the 2025 F1 season, McLaren’s focus on both development and team synergy could be the deciding factor in whether they can challenge Verstappen and Red Bull for the championship, while also ensuring they remain in a strong position for the long haul.
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