McLaren’s Impressive Start in the 2025 F1 Season: A Closer Look

The 2025 Formula One season is off to an exciting start, with McLaren taking back-to-back wins in Australia and China. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner acknowledges their prowess but issues a word of caution as they face formidable competition.

The Potency of McLaren’s MCL39

McLaren‘s MCL39 has proven to be a force to reckon with this season. While Lando Norris admits that the car is challenging to handle, he can’t deny its impressive performance, given his lead in the drivers’ championship heading into the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend.

Despite their strong start, Steiner believes McLaren must remain vigilant. “I wouldn’t say that nobody can compete with anymore,” he said on the Red Flags Podcast. “It’s not as easy as it looks, because you saw it in the sprint – if they don’t execute perfectly, they lose.”

The Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix: A Test for McLaren

The sprint race during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend saw McLaren‘s drivers struggle to keep pace with winner Lewis Hamilton. Oscar Piastri managed a late charge into second place, but his teammate finished eighth, disappointing given the expectations surrounding him.

However, if McLaren executes flawlessly, Steiner believes they are the team to beat. “If they do it perfectly, I think they’re definitely the team to beat,” he said. “And yes, they were way ahead of the rest, but we’re not talking about a whole lap or something like that.”

The Top Contenders in the 2025 F1 Season

Mercedes, for example, also boasts impressive speed, making the Japanese Grand Prix another challenge for McLaren as they aim to extend their lead. The top four teams, excluding perhaps Red Bull which has struggled with a difficult car this season, have all shown impressive performance, promising an exciting season ahead.

Mercedes’ George Russell has finished on the podium in each of the Grands Prix so far, making him a strong contender for the championship this year. But it’s Oscar Piastri who has caught Steiner’s attention after missing out on a podium in Australia due to a mistake in the wet conditions, but bouncing back with an impressive drive in Shanghai, leading a one-two finish for McLaren.

“He was better all weekend,” Steiner said of Piastri. “If I had to put money on the world champion now, I would put it on Oscar Piastri. When you saw him talking after qualifying, he seemed quite cheerful. I think he is hungry for more – he is really enjoying it.”

Ferrari and Mercedes remain competitive, making the Japanese Grand Prix another test for McLaren as they strive to maintain their lead in the 2025 F1 season.