Lando Norris’s pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix underscored McLaren’s recent winning streak. However, Martin Brundle raises doubts about their approach of not favoring either Norris or Piastri in their race strategy.
McLaren has been dazzling in the 2025 F1 season, comfortably leading the Constructors’ Championship by a significant margin of 132 points over their nearest competitor. In the Drivers’ Championship, the battle is even tighter with Oscar Piastri holding a slight lead of 13 points over his teammate, Lando Norris. Despite their success, McLaren faces a unique challenge: balancing the ambitions of two top-tier drivers while keeping potential adversary Max Verstappen at bay.
Brundle, an experienced voice in the racing community, questions the long-term feasibility of McLaren’s current strategy. He suggests that the team might need to reconsider their stance if they wish to maintain their lead. “They can continue to delay the decision-making process as long as they keep winning races,” he notes. The dilemma is clear: while Piastri and Norris continue to perform exceptionally, their rivalry could inadvertently benefit Verstappen, who is only nine points behind Norris.
CEO Zak Brown publicly maintains that McLaren will not favor one driver unless it becomes statistically clear that one has a significantly better chance of winning the championship. “The only reason to choose,” Brown states, “is when it’s evident one has a real shot at the title and the other does not.” However, Brundle warns that this approach hinges on continued dominant performances from both drivers, ensuring they consistently outpace Verstappen.
Interestingly, former racer Jenson Button shares Brundle’s sentiment but expresses excitement about seeing a genuine competition between the McLaren drivers, hoping it lasts until late in the season. Button points out that McLaren’s primary focus is the Constructors’ Championship, which they are likely to secure. Yet, he believes the intrigue lies in watching Norris and Piastri vie for individual glory.
The narrative around McLaren is layered with strategic decisions that could either reinforce their dominance or open the door for competitors like Verstappen to sneak in. Until a clear leader between Norris and Piastri emerges, McLaren’s dual-threat strategy remains a double-edged sword.
Martin Brundle’s insights serve as a cautionary tale for McLaren’s leadership. As the season progresses, the team must weigh the risks of internal competition against the threat of external challengers. Their current success is undeniable, but sustaining it requires careful calibration of team dynamics and race strategies.
