The Bold McLaren Call That Could Cost Them The 2025 Championship

Oscar Piastri, Zak Brown and Lando Norris featured left to right

McLaren are back!

After years of rebuilding, rebranding, and reshuffling, the papaya squad has clawed its way to the sharp end of the F1 grid. With a car that’s consistently fighting for victories and even podiums, together with two of the most exciting young drivers in the sport, it seems like everything’s finally falling into place.

But there’s a problem. And it’s not the car. It’s the team’s refusal to pick a number one driver.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both phenomenal talents.

Lando, the more experienced of the two, is in his sixth season with McLaren and as “team leader” has already proved his speed and consistency.

On the other hand, Piastri calm and collected, an F1 Grand Prix winner in his second season, has clearly shown that he’s no understudy and he’s here to win.

But as enticing as it sounds to have “two number one drivers”, it’s a dream that can quickly turn into a nightmare.

A Championship Team Needs Clarity

F1 history; Schumacher & Barrichello at Ferrari, 2000-2005, Vettel & Webber (sort of) at Red Bull, 2009 to 2013, and Hamilton & Bottas at Mercedes, 2017-2021, tells us that teams who consistently win titles only do so with a clear driver hierarchy.

Even Verstappen, talented as he is, probably needed the benefit of Red Bull’s full commitment to him as their lead driver.

McLaren, on the other hand, are currently walking a tightrope.

In their effort to keep both drivers happy by treating them equally, they risk sacrificing strategic clarity and potentially crucial points when it matters most.

When both drivers are fighting for position on track, who gets priority? Who gets the favourable strategy? Who does the team back when the title’s on the line?

Equality of treatment may be OK in the fight for midfield positioning. But if McLaren are serious in challenging Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes for wins and championships, it is imperative that the management through Zac inform the team and just as importantly, if not more, the drivers who they are backing in terms of priority.

The Danger of Internal Battles

We’ve seen driver dilemma historically; Hamilton vs Rosberg, Mercedes 2016. Alonso vs Hamilton, 2007, where intra-team battles can quickly boil over.

Instead of racing against other F1 teams, all energy and focus is misdirected to internal rivalry, costing the team dearly.

Currently Norris and Piastri appear to have healthy working relationship. How long can this be expected to last when both; are constantly fighting for the same piece of tarmac and believe they’re the one best capable of leading the team to F1 glory?

Oscar is fast, cool and calculated, Lando is quick and passionate, but they are both equally hungry for their first F1 driver’s championship and much more.

Whilst, without a doubt, they’re both future F1 world champions in the making, unfortunately in 2025 only one of them can potentially be crowned as F1 World Champion, driving in the colours of McLaren.

Time Is Ticking

McLaren’s rise and current position at the front of the F1 pack won’t last forever, unless they’re able to capitalise on it.

Their 2025 campaign is a crucial stepping stone into the new regulations of 2026. If they don’t start laying the foundation, including a clear driver structure, for a championship push now, they risk watching other teams seize the opportunity to overtake them whilst they fumble in indecision.

Also, McClaren can’t afford to ignore the external pressures that will bear down on their attempt at maintain their driver’s current status quo.

Lando has been loyal to McLaren through the rebuild, but how long will he stay if he feels he's not being prioritised? Oscar, with his reputation and results, won’t accept a number two status quietly either.

If they haven’t been doing so already, sooner or later, the driver’s themselves will push to be McLaren to name their number one driver.

We would hasten to suggest most often being pushed into decision making doesn’t produce the best result. 

The Verdict

McLaren need be brave.

They have the machinery, the personnel, and the talent to fight at the top.

In the guise of Norris and Piastri, they have the luxury of having, arguably, two of the most exciting drivers of the current F1 roster. The risk being if the situation is not managed delicately but decisively, it could become a liability.

In order to consistently challenge for and then push on to win championships, they must make the tough call.

Either they pick a number one driver and back him fully, or they continue balancing two stars with increased risk of the title slipping through their fingers, ending the season in recriminations.

The blatant choice facing McLaren is that between; an unbridled talent, second season F1 race winner in Piastri and a loyal servant, more experienced, arguably equal talent in Norris.

Who do you think should be McLaren's no 1 driver?

• Lando Norris
• Oscar Piastri