After 14 rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season, only nine points separate McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with Piastri holding a narrow lead in the drivers’ standings. Both are contending for their first world championship, making their ongoing rivalry the central focus of the campaign. This intense competition has elevated McLaren as the leading team, with 11 victories already secured this season.
Maintaining a Positive Dynamic Amidst Intense Competition
Although rivalries within teams during title fights often lead to tension, McLaren’s environment has fostered a healthy competition, according to team principal Andrea Stella. He stressed that the improving relationship between the two drivers is no accident but the result of deliberate investment in their bonds. Stella emphasized the fundamental role relationships play, suggesting they are as vital as car aerodynamics to the team’s success.
If anything, the relationship between Oscar and Lando keeps improving,
Stella said.
This involves the relationship between drivers and the team and between the drivers themselves.
Despite a minor collision in Canada early in the season, which Norris accepted responsibility for, no further clashes have occurred. Stella highlighted the importance of using such moments constructively to strengthen team unity and avoid lasting disruption.
Learning From Team Orders to Build Trust
One pivotal instance in nurturing trust was the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Norris yielded to Piastri following team directives. Stella noted that the team spent significant time debriefing this event with both drivers, focusing on mutual understanding and lessons learned. He pointed out the constant challenges in F1 and the need to create a supportive framework that allows each driver to pursue their goals while safeguarding team interests.
If I take the race we had last year in Hungary, we spent quite a lot of time reviewing that individually with the drivers and together,
he said.
We tried to learn from each other as much as possible. We reminded ourselves that Formula 1 is difficult, and we are always going to face some difficulties.
This is an awareness we need to have. From there, what can we do to improve? What can we do as a team to make sure we have a framework that allows Lando and Oscar to pursue their aspirations, always protecting the interests of the team?
McLaren’s Unexpected Dominance in the 2025 Season
Andrea Stella expressed surprise at just how competitive McLaren has become this year. The team leads the constructors’ championship with 559 points, more than double the tally of second-placed Ferrari. The strength of the MCL39 car and the team’s aggressive development strategy have played key roles in this success, as Piastri and Norris account for eleven out of the fourteen season’s wins.
I’ve been surprised by this level of competitiveness,
Stella admitted.
When last year we discussed how much effort we wanted to put in improving the 2024 car, we definitely wanted to be very ambitious… So how do we do that?
We embraced a very aggressive approach to innovation. The MCL39 is a very innovative car.
Recent upgrades have further enhanced McLaren’s pace during the last few races, reinforcing their competitive edge.
Even if we consider the last three, four races, there’s been quite a lot of new parts that have been added… I think this has helped a lot in creating this trend and finding that in the last three races, we were definitely very competitive,
Stella explained.
Team Culture and Progress Drive Continued Success
Reflecting on McLaren’s rapid improvement, Stella pointed to the unique pace of progress and the collaborative nature of the team as defining factors. He highlighted that the operation does not rely on individual superstars, but instead operates as a cohesive unit that includes both drivers.
If I had to pick a couple of features of the journey that is happening here at McLaren, I would say the rate of progress that we have had in a couple of years is in itself pretty unique,
said Stella.
Once again, I’m a lucky team principal because the two drivers are very reasonable, very fair, very correct, humble, and above all, they understand that we are here not only to pursue our interest in the present but also to protect the future of their own careers and of McLaren Racing.
Looking Ahead: McLaren’s Outlook in the Championship Battle
With only ten races remaining, Piastri and Norris hold a comfortable lead of more than three wins over Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship. McLaren’s dominance is further emphasized by their substantial points advantage over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings. The team’s solid foundation, combined with the ongoing healthy rivalry between its drivers, sets the stage for an intense and closely watched conclusion to the 2025 season, as they strive to secure both titles.