Red Bull Racing has issued a cautionary note to McLaren, suggesting that the internal competition between their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, could inadvertently benefit Max Verstappen’s pursuit of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. The warning comes in the wake of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where Verstappen secured a decisive victory, narrowing the points gap to his McLaren rivals.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, highlighted the potential pitfalls of McLaren’s strategy to allow both drivers to compete freely for the championship. He pointed to the incident at Imola, where Norris overtook Piastri after a Safety Car period, nearly resulting in contact between the teammates. Horner emphasized that such intra-team battles could lead to the loss of crucial points, a scenario that Red Bull aims to exploit by focusing its resources solely on Verstappen’s title bid.
In contrast to McLaren’s approach, Red Bull has adopted a clear hierarchy, designating Verstappen as their lead driver. This strategy enables the team to channel all efforts towards maximizing his championship prospects without the complications of managing two title contenders. Horner remarked on the advantages of this unified focus, suggesting that McLaren’s equal treatment of Norris and Piastri might necessitate compromises that could hinder their overall performance.
The dynamics within McLaren have drawn attention from former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, who criticized the team’s reluctance to prioritize one driver over the other. Rosberg argued that McLaren’s “DNA” of equal treatment could be detrimental in a tightly contested championship, especially when strategic decisions could favor one driver’s title aspirations.
Despite these critiques, McLaren maintains its commitment to allowing both drivers to compete on equal terms. Team Principal Andrea Stella has urged the team to continue its development trajectory while cautioning against complacency. Stella emphasized the importance of ongoing improvements to stay ahead in the championship race, acknowledging the pressure from competitors like Red Bull.
As the season progresses, the contrasting strategies of Red Bull and McLaren will be under scrutiny. Red Bull’s singular focus on Verstappen presents a streamlined path to the championship, while McLaren’s dual-driver approach offers both opportunities and challenges. The unfolding narrative promises an engaging battle for supremacy in the 2025 Formula 1 season.