McLaren believes its rivals can still win in 2025

McLaren still threatened in 2025? Despite the figures proving otherwise with 11 wins, 7 one-two finishes, and a 299-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, the British team does not expect to have a relaxed second half of the season. These are the words of director Andrea Stella. The Italian states that Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, through Max Verstappen, could compete for victory under certain conditions before the end of the season.

Despite an overall dominance since the beginning of the season, McLaren has seen its rivals challenge them on multiple occasions. The four-time world champion has already secured two victories, in Japan and Imola, ahead of the two McLarens. The Dutch driver also won the last sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps, again ahead of the two orange cars, and the following weekend in Hungary, the Woking team was beaten in qualifying by Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.

Ferrari, main threat to McLaren in 2025

For Andrea Stella, the Italian team seems to be the biggest threat to McLaren until the end of the season, especially since the introduction of their new rear suspension during the weekend in Belgium. Ferrari has been competitive in recent races, the Italian declared just after the Hungarian Grand Prix. They were performing well in the dry at Silverstone, performing in Belgium. In some way, this hasn’t been fully expressed.

The former engineer of Fernando Alonso at Ferrari particularly commented on the start of the race at the Hungaroring, when the Monegasque was controlling the beginning of the race and neither of the two drivers could catch up to him, demonstrating that the British team is not untouchable. « I think we saw yesterday [Hungarian GP qualifying] that they were capable of securing pole, and during the race, it wasn’t like we were holding back in the first stint. We were trying to go as fast as possible, and Leclerc was managing the race lead with a certain level of control. »

« So I am not surprised. I think Ferrari will be a contender for the victory for the rest of the season. Every time we start a race in this second half of the season, we will have to consider Ferrari in qualifications and in the race, and we will also have to consider Mercedes. And today, Max [Verstappen] was a bit behind, but I’m sure he will find a way to fight for the victory. » Rather flattering remarks towards his main rivals, while the British team has just achieved a fourth consecutive double, proving that it continues to clearly dominate the field.

A more consistent orange single-seater

For Frédéric Vasseur, director of Ferrari, this domination is mainly due to McLaren’s ability to deliver in all conditions, with a car capable of performing on all types of circuits. I think their advantage today is that they are always there, no matter the conditions. In qualifying, we were a bit faster, but it was marginal. They can perform in all conditions, whereas we remain a bit more inconsistent throughout the weekend.

« If we want to win, we have to be very consistent in all conditions: from free practice to prepare well for the race, in Q1, Q2, Q3, with all the tire sets during the race, with different compounds, etc. That’s where, for now, they are a little better than us.

Hope for Ferrari and Mercedes, doubts for Red Bull

The Frenchman still hopes that Andrea Stella’s prediction will prove accurate, especially since Ferrari seems to be regaining performance over the last few Grand Prix. It’s extremely difficult to predict because what we see one day doesn’t necessarily hold true the following weekend. But at least, I would say that in the last two races – at Spa and here [in Hungary] – we’ve gotten back into the rhythm. We’re quite consistent with the tires. We’re able to manage the pace. And if we’re strong in qualifying, it means we can fight with them.

The second half of the season therefore does not seem to be taking the direction of a walk in the park for McLaren. Ferrari has regained confidence, as has Mercedes after several challenging weekends. Let’s not forget Max Verstappen who, despite the lack of performance from his Red Bull, remains a constant threat to McLaren, giving this second half of the championship a captivating dimension. See you in Zandvoort on August 31 for the return of F1.