As the 2025 Formula 1 season passes the one-third point, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are incredibly close in the standings, separated by just three points. However, Max Verstappen remains a significant threat, trailing Piastri by 25 points heading into the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is often seen as a benchmark track, where strong performance indicates overall car competitiveness. This weekend`s race introduces a new technical rule cracking down on flexible wings, raising questions about whether McLaren`s current pace advantage will persist.
In the Constructors` Championship, McLaren holds a commanding lead, being 152 points ahead of Mercedes and 156 points clear of Red Bull.
While McLaren enjoys a strong team position, the close competition between Norris and Piastri means they have inevitably taken points from each other in the Drivers` standings. In contrast, Verstappen hasn`t faced a similar challenge from his teammate, allowing him to potentially maximize his own score more effectively.
McLaren`s current performance edge isn`t guaranteed to last, as rivals are constantly developing upgrades and improving their understanding of their cars. Adding to the uncertainty is the new front wing load test introduced at the Spanish GP, which Red Bull`s Christian Horner anticipates will have an impact.
It remains to be seen if these factors will negatively affect McLaren. If they do, and Verstappen consistently challenges for wins based on raw pace, will McLaren`s leadership, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, regret not designating a lead driver?
No point in upsetting one driver
Speaking on *The F1 Show*, Sky Sports F1`s David Croft argued that having an outright lead driver at McLaren would likely result in either Norris or Piastri seeking opportunities elsewhere.
“The massive gap McLaren have puts to bed the debate that they need a number one and number two driver,” said Croft. “McLaren say they `will pursue the best interests of the team while preserving the interest of the drivers`. As racing fans we want to see racing. We don`t want to see team orders or drivers sacrificing their race for someone else.”
“They are making the points they need for the constructors` and letting the drivers scrap it out. We are in for a mega season.
The team wants to win the Constructors` Championship, right? The team is not going to sacrifice a driver, when both can win a Drivers` Championship, whilst they can easily win a Constructors` Championship. There`s no point in doing that, because all you`re going to do is hasten the exit out the door of either Lando or Oscar.”
What if Verstappen is still in the title fight in the second half of the season?
Verstappen has won two of the eight F1 races so far, in Suzuka and Imola, though only at the latter circuit could Red Bull arguably claim to have had a stronger car than McLaren.
Sky Sports F1`s Simon Lazenby offered a differing perspective, suggesting McLaren might need to back the leading driver if Verstappen remains a close contender later in the season.
“If it comes down to it, the drivers` [title] is the one that they want now,” he said. “Let`s say one of the drivers gets 25 or 30 points ahead, but Max is hot on the heels, are they not going to put all their eggs in the basket for the one that`s leading [the championship]. Are they not actually going to do a Monaco Grand Prix [strategy] and use the second driver as a buffer?”
Sky Sports F1`s Bernie Collins added: “If they get to a point where they are crashing into each other and therefore risking the Constructors` Championship, that`s the point where they will say `enough is enough`.
“For now, when they are fighting cleanly and both gaining good points in the Constructors` Championship, there will be a point when mathematically that`s done and at that point there`s even less need to tell them to hold station.
Zak wants it all. One-two in the drivers` and to win the constructors`, so he will make his drivers as happy as he can to make that happen.”
Also See:
- When to watch Spanish GP
- F1 2025 schedule
- F1 championship standings
Sky Sports F1`s Spanish Grand Prix Schedule
Thursday May 29
2pm: Drivers` Press Conference
Friday May 30
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Spanish GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Spanish GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday May 31
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Spanish GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Spanish GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: SPANISH GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday June 1
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up*
2pm: The SPANISH GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
