McLaren's Dominance and the Rising Challenge from Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has acknowledged that Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull—especially Max Verstappen—will continue to pose a significant threat in the remaining races of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite being the runaway leader in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships with 11 wins from the first 14 rounds, including seven 1-2 finishes, the Woking-based team has faced sporadic challenges throughout the season.
One of the most recent examples came during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, where Max Verstappen secured the sprint race victory over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Similarly, in Hungary, Charles Leclerc claimed pole position for Ferrari, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the Italian team.
Stella expressed his belief that Ferrari, in particular, is emerging as a strong contender for victories in the latter half of the season due to its recent technical upgrades.
“Ferrari has been competitive over the last few races,” Stella said following the Hungarian GP. “They were competitive in dry conditions at Silverstone and Belgium. However, this competitiveness hasn’t always translated fully into results.”
He added, “We saw yesterday [during qualifying] that they were in a position to secure the pole. In the race, we weren’t holding back; we were pushing as hard as possible. Leclerc was managing the lead with a degree of control. So, I’m not surprised. I think Ferrari will be a serious contender for wins for the rest of the season.”
Stella also emphasized that McLaren must remain vigilant against all major competitors, including Mercedes and Red Bull. While Verstappen may not have been in contention during the recent races, Stella believes he will find ways to challenge for victories in the future.
“There’s nothing obvious in this business,” he said. “This is exactly what we mentioned after qualifying, and it’s something we’ll keep repeating throughout the second half of the season.”
Ferrari’s Perspective: Consistency and Conditions
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, shares some of Stella’s concerns but highlights the differences between the two teams. He acknowledges that McLaren has consistently performed at the front under all conditions, while Ferrari still requires favorable circumstances and track characteristics to mount a serious challenge.
“It’s extremely difficult to predict because the situation on one day doesn’t necessarily reflect the next weekend,” Vasseur explained. “But I would say that in the last two rounds, we’ve been back on pace in Spa and here in Hungary. We’re getting closer.”
Vasseur noted that Ferrari has improved its consistency, particularly in tire management and race pace. However, he admitted that McLaren’s ability to perform in every condition gives them an edge.
“We are quite consistent on the tires and able to manage our pace. If we are back in qualifying, it means we can fight with them,” he said. “The advantage McLaren has today is that they are always there, regardless of the conditions. In qualifying, we were slightly faster, but it was marginal. They are able to perform in every single scenario, while we are more inconsistent throughout the weekend.”
He further emphasized that winning requires consistency across all aspects of the race weekend—from free practice to qualifying and the race itself. “From free practice to prepare for the race, through Q1, Q2, and Q3, and then managing different tire compounds during the race, I think that’s where they are currently more performant than us.”
The Road Ahead
As the 2025 season progresses, the battle for supremacy in Formula 1 is set to intensify. With Ferrari making strides in performance and Red Bull continuing to push for victories, McLaren will need to maintain its dominance while adapting to the evolving competition. The coming races will be crucial in determining whether the current leaders can hold their ground or if new challengers will rise to the top.