Less than 10 Grand Prix events remain in the 2025 Formula 1 season, with drivers starting to separate in the standings.
So far, it’s been all McLaren this year, with Oscar Piastri now holding a 31-point lead over teammate Lando Norris after the Pirelli Italian Grand Prix.
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There’s a natural rivalry brewing between Piastri and Norris. Both drivers are teammates under the McLaren F1 constructor. Each of them has pulled away from the rest of the field by at least 60 points. A Formula 1 Grand Prix win nets the winner 25 points, so it’s going to be difficult to catch McLaren’s elite tandem of drivers this late in the season.
Max Verstappen, who is third in the 2025 F1 standings, is likely going to have his four-year title run come to an end this season. Before Verstappen’s reign atop the sport, Lewis Hamilton also had four consecutive Formula 1 World Champion titles, including six in seven years.
Now, Piastri and Norris have an opportunity to etch their name into Formula 1 history by winning their first world title. Driving for the same constructor adds a bit of drama to this year’s finish. Yet, as recently displayed during a tow during qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix, these two McLaren drivers have been highly supportive of each other.
“I think that’s the quality of the individuals behind the drivers that we have at McLaren. It’s the foundation of the way we go racing,” stated McLaren F1 team principal, Andrea Stella.
“Having said that, the tow that Oscar gave Lando wasn’t a decisive factor for Lando to go to Q3, but in itself it’s a nice gesture of fairness and sportsmanship that we do like to see. It’s within the rights of the driver to say I’m not going to do it this time.
“I would consider it potentially not the most elegant move, but sometimes racing doesn’t necessarily require elegance as long as you operate within the principles and the rules of the team.”
Red Bull is currently fourth in the constructors’ standings with 239 points. The constructor with the most points at the end of the season wins the FIA Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull Racing made some personnel changes in July, ousting former CEO and team principal, Christian Horner, in favour of Laurent Mekies.
As a result of these internal changes, Red Bull has begun to improve in multiple areas, including qualifiers. Verstappen entered this season with four straight FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship titles. He remains their biggest focal point amidst these changes from Mekies, as the team adjusts to no longer being atop either the drivers’ or constructors’ standings.
Verstappen’s three wins and six podiums have built a 36-point cushion against the rest of the drivers beneath him. He must now find ways to win as many of the upcoming grands prix as possible to close the gap between himself and McLaren’s Piastri and Norris.
