P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The 2025 McLaren is a great car but it’s been helped by the struggles of its key rivals. We explain their deficiencies and assess their prospects of improving
McLaren has dominated the 2025 Formula 1 season by winning nine out of 12 grands prix, holding a substantial lead in points and setting up an intra-team battle for the drivers’ championship.
The McLaren MCL39 is undeniably strong, but its success has also been propelled by the struggles of its competitors who have failed to close the gap.
Despite early expectations of tightening competition, McLaren’s recent performances have shown near unbeatable race pace, further cementing its lead in the championship standings.
With Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull trailing far behind, McLaren’s grip on the constructors’ title seems nearly unassailable, as each rival team has faced their own setbacks throughout the season.
Ferrari has encountered challenges with the 2025 car’s design, leading to performance compromises that have hindered their ability to match McLaren’s pace.
The team is working on upgrades to address these weaknesses, particularly focusing on improving rear suspension to enhance ride height control and overall performance on track.
Although Ferrari’s title hopes may not fully recover this season, they remain determined to close the gap to McLaren and apply pressure in the remaining races.
