McLaren mid-season review: From resurgence to supremacy

Written by Elaina Russell, Edited by Meghana Sree

As we head into the second half of the 2025 Formula One season after a lengthy summer break, our F1 writers take you through the state of play with each team on the grid.

Oscar Piastri leads the championship, with Lando Norris nine points behind | Credit: Formula One

When Formula One reached the summer break of 2025, there was no question who had defined the season so far.

McLaren sit on top of both championships, having won 11 of the first 14 races. For the first time since the late 1990s, the papaya outfit are within reach of a double crown – both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships – and their dominance has reshaped the sport’s competitive order.

With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked in a nine-point duel, McLaren’s biggest rival may be themselves.

High point

Hungary was the crowning moment of McLaren’s campaign thus far. Norris and Piastri delivered the team’s 200th Grand Prix win, a feat matched only by Ferrari, and secured a fourth consecutive one-two finish.

It was a run that encapsulated the balance McLaren have struck in 2025: innovation off track, clinical execution on it.

Team Principal Andrea Stella has described the MCL39 as a “very innovative car,” one born of an “aggressive approach to development” designed to break away from the unpredictability of 2024. The results have been emphatic.

Piastri has six wins, including a hat-trick across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Miami. Norris has five, highlighted by childhood dream triumphs in Monaco and Silverstone.

Norris and Piastri have dominated the field this year | Credit: Formula One

Across qualifying and race results, the pair are near-identical: Piastri leads head-to-head in qualifying 8-6, but they are tied 7-7 in races.

Low point

McLaren’s season has not been spotless. In Canada, Norris rear-ended Piastri in damp conditions, forcing his only retirement of the season and costing the team a double-points finish to add to the tally. Piastri managed to salvage 12 points in that outing, but the clash raised sharp questions about the wisdom of McLaren’s free-to-race policy.

Norris admitted fault and apologised, with Stella making clear such mistakes were “not acceptable.” Since then, close calls in Austria and Hungary have reminded the paddock that letting two title contenders race freely is both a strength and a risk.

Still, Piastri remains the only driver to score points in every race this year – a model of consistency that gives him a narrow lead heading into the break.

Norris recorded McLaren's lowest result thus far this year in Canada | Credit: Formula One

Looking ahead

McLaren’s journey has been defined by rapid growth. 

“The rate of progress itself was even faster than what we experienced at Ferrari in the very competitive times,” Stella reflected during the Team Principals press conference at the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, adding that success has come in part from “no superstars” but “a proper team journey”.

As the calendar ticks toward Abu Dhabi, few doubt McLaren’s ability to secure the Constructors’ Championship.

The real drama will be internal. Can Norris harness momentum from Hungary to overtake his teammate? Or will Piastri’s calm precision keep him ahead to secure a maiden world title?

One thing is certain: for the first time in a generation, McLaren are the team setting the pace on all fronts.