As the 2025 Formula 1 season nears its conclusion, McLaren’s management of its driver lineup has come under intense scrutiny amid a developing Lewis Hamilton McLaren controversy. Oscar Piastri continues to lead the drivers’ championship following a challenging weekend in Baku, but Max Verstappen’s return to winning form threatens to close the gap fast, raising concerns about McLaren’s driver strategy as the title fight intensifies.
Controversy Sparks After Baku Setback for McLaren Drivers
The latest tension emerged in Baku, where Max Verstappen dominated from pole position to victory, while Oscar Piastri encountered his first non-finish this season due to a first-lap crash. Lando Norris, meanwhile, struggled after a poor qualifying session left him seventh on the grid, limiting his ability to compete in the race. This combination trimmed Piastri’s championship lead over Norris to 25 points, while Verstappen closed to within 69 points, keeping the battle wide open with seven rounds left in the season.
Throughout most of the year, McLaren had allowed its drivers to compete without much team interference. The Australian driver Piastri established a strong early lead with seven wins and consistent podiums, while Norris countered with five wins but faced some inconsistency. However, recent team decisions suggest a subtle shift favoring Norris, sparking debate and criticism from motorsport observers.
Historic Echoes: Parallels to McLaren’s 2007 Internal Conflict
Spanish journalist Carlos Miquel criticized McLaren’s apparent preference for Norris, warning that the team might be repeating past errors. Referencing the 2007 season, he pointed out the parallels to McLaren’s treatment of rookie Lewis Hamilton and established star Fernando Alonso.
“At McLaren it’s tradition to support the worse driver of the two. In 2007 they supported Hamilton and they were wrong.” Carlos Miquel, Motorsport Journalist
In 2007, Hamilton surprised many by leading the championship well into the season, challenging the team’s established choice, Alonso. The situation came to a head in Hungary, when Alonso deliberately slowed Hamilton in the pits after the British driver ignored team orders to let Alonso pass, heightening internal tension. This disruption allowed Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari to surge past and win the championship, overturning a 16-point deficit in the final races.
Miquel’s warning suggests that McLaren’s recent actions might jeopardize Piastri’s strong championship position by favoring Norris at critical moments. With Verstappen’s resurgence, any imbalance could allow Red Bull to capitalize on McLaren’s potential internal discord.
Race Strategy Under the Microscope Ahead of Singapore
Looking forward, McLaren’s immediate priority is securing the Constructors’ Championship at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix on October 5. Holding a 333-point lead over Mercedes, the team requires just 13 points on race day to clinch the title, achievable by a podium finish from either Piastri or Norris irrespective of rivals’ results.
Despite this clear pathway to the team championship, the drivers’ title remains highly contested. Verstappen’s victory in Baku tightened margins, magnifying every strategic error. Team principal Andrea Stella reflected on the necessity of improving race execution after Norris suffered a costly 4.1-second pit stop delay in Azerbaijan, which eliminated his chance to fight for the win.
“We need to keep working, because there’s some important performance that is available through pit stops, and we have seen that the racing, if anything, is getting tighter and tighter. So what is the impact of a pit stop now? It gets more and more important. So definitely, for the remainder of the season, and also thinking about next year’s car, there’s work to do,” Andrea Stella, Team Principal
This focus on pit stop performance underscores how critical every detail has become in this season’s climactic phase. At the same time, concerns persist that if Norris continues to receive preferential treatment, McLaren risks destabilizing its driver pairing and handing advantage back to Verstappen and Red Bull.
Implications of the Internal Struggle for McLaren’s Championship Prospects
Oscar Piastri’s 2025 campaign has been exceptional, marked by seven race victories and 14 podium finishes, positioning him as the favored contender for the driver’s championship. However, with Verstappen closing in and Norris’s role within the team seemingly favored over Piastri at times, McLaren must carefully balance driver dynamics to maintain their edge.
The team’s approach will likely shape not only the closing rounds of this season but also lay the groundwork for next year’s championship bids. While McLaren is poised to secure the Constructors’ title soon, the intense rivalry and management decisions off-track highlight the delicate challenges in navigating driver relationships under pressure.
With history casting a long shadow, McLaren’s strategy in the coming weeks will be closely watched by fans and experts alike, as they strive to avoid repeating past mistakes and secure both driver and team honors in 2025.
