P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren lose out as F1 rivals make astonishing TWO seconds gain
Despite their dominant position in F1, McLaren have shown less improvement compared to their rivals in 2025. The team is leading the constructors’ championship with 337 points and has the opportunity to secure the title at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are strong contenders for the drivers’ championship, aiming to become McLaren’s first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. However, recent data indicates that McLaren had the third-lowest improvement rate from the 2024 Italian GP to this year’s event at Monza, with only Ferrari and Mercedes faring worse. In contrast, Sauber has made significant progress, improving by nearly two seconds in qualifying compared to 2024. This remarkable rise has seen Sauber elevate from just four points in 2024 to 55 points in 2025, positioning them eighth in the constructors’ standings and in contention for a top-five finish. Both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have capitalized on this progress, with Hulkenberg earning his first career podium this season and Bortoleto showcasing a strong rookie campaign.
