Following a commanding performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured a remarkable achievement, matching a milestone last reached by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1988. This marks McLaren’s sixth 1-2 finish in a single season, an accomplishment not seen for the team since that iconic year.
This milestone highlights the resurgence of McLaren in Formula 1, emphasizing the reliability and skill of its current driver lineup. The team had endured a turbulent period during the turbo-hybrid era but now appears to be returning to its former dominance.
Comparing McLaren’s 1988 Dominance to Today’s Success
In 1988, McLaren, steered by Ron Dennis and powered by Honda engines, dominated the season by winning 15 of 16 races, accumulating ten 1-2 finishes. Alain Prost claimed seven victories while Ayrton Senna achieved eight wins and the World Championship, igniting one of Formula 1’s fiercest rivalries.
Unlike the intense rivalry of Senna and Prost, the current partnership of Norris and Piastri is marked by professionalism and cooperation, with minimal internal conflict. Aside from a minor incident in the Canadian Grand Prix, both drivers have consistently delivered strong, measured performances without public discord.
McLaren’s Position Among Formula 1’s Best Teams
The double podium at Belgium increased McLaren’s total 1-2 finishes to 55, cementing their place third in the all-time rankings behind Ferrari with 85 and Mercedes with 59. Ferrari’s latest 1-2 came at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, while Mercedes last recorded a 1-2 finish at the 2022 Brazil Grand Prix.
The rapid progression of McLaren this season has been evident: starting from their milestone 50th 1-2 in China, followed by similar results in Miami, Spain, Austria, Britain, and Belgium. This consistency propelled McLaren to the top of the Constructors’ Championship, holding 516 points after 13 races—an imposing 268-point advantage over Ferrari.
Race Conditions and Tactical Decisions at Spa
The Belgian Grand Prix was delayed by persistent rain, pushing the race start back by 90 minutes and directing all cars to the pit lane. When the race finally began behind the Safety Car, Norris and Piastri occupied the front row. On lap 4, Piastri, starting second on the grid, capitalized on the slipstream along the Kemmel Straight to overtake Norris into Les Combes, taking a lead he maintained through the race.
As the track progressively dried, Piastri chose to pit on lap 12 for medium tires. Norris delayed his stop to avoid a double stack, opting for hard tires a lap later, wagering on stronger pace at the race’s end. Although Norris closed the gap from over nine seconds to just above three seconds by lap 43, Piastri’s early move and steady pace ensured his victory.
McLaren Team Principal Reflects on Driver Rivalry and Championship Battle
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, shared insights into managing the intra-team competition throughout the season. He acknowledged the closeness between Norris and Piastri, attributing it to their exceptional skill and focus:
“There’s very, very little between our two drivers, and this is because the two drivers are racing at a very, very high level. We’re lucky at McLaren to have two drivers that deservedly are fighting for the World Championship. I think the difference will be made by the accuracy, the precision, the quality of the execution.”
Stella also compared the current pairing with his past experiences working alongside multiple world champions, highlighting the exceptional level at which both drivers are performing:
“Like I said before, we’ve two drivers, which to the standards that even myself in my career I’ve been close to, driving with multiple world champions. I think Lando and Oscar are operating at that level, at the level of deservedly being in contention for the Drivers’ World Championship.”
Championship Standings and Future Prospects
As the summer break approaches, the championship battle clearly centers on Norris and Piastri, with no other driver appearing as a serious contender. Oscar Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship with 266 points, narrowly ahead of Norris, who has amassed 250 points. The reigning World Champion, Max Verstappen, trails behind them with 185 points, facing a fading challenge this season.
McLaren’s impressive season performance, reflected in their historic 1-2 finishes and dominant Constructors’ Championship lead, signals a significant revival for the team. The ongoing rivalry and teamwork between Norris and Piastri will likely shape the climax of the title fight as Formula 1 moves into the final stages of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lando Norris a billionaire?
A. British racer Lando Norris, who began his Formula 1 career with McLaren in 2019, has earned $30 million (£22.6 million).
