P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren pledged to treat both drivers as equals during the 2025 F1 title fight, an approach that former F1 driver Derek Daly believes almost cost the team the drivers’ championship.
Former F1 driver Derek Daly believes McLaren’s approach to managing its drivers will not be sustainable in the future as seen in the recent season. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were allowed to compete freely for the title, resulting in a close battle with Max Verstappen from Red Bull. Norris ultimately clinched the championship by just two points ahead of Verstappen, while Piastri finished in third place. Despite Verstappen’s threat, McLaren chose not to favor either driver until the final round, a move Daly thinks will be challenging to maintain against teams like Red Bull who prioritize one driver. Daly declared Verstappen as the top competitor in F1 and highlighted that Red Bull’s mid-season struggles ultimately cost the Dutchman his shot at a fifth consecutive title.
