Victory at Last!
The long wait for McLaren, which had lasted since 1998, has finally ended. For the first time in 26 years, the British team has claimed the Constructors’ Championship, achieving this milestone for the ninth time in its history. This success was made possible by the performances of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the latter being in contention with Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship, which was ultimately secured for the fourth consecutive time by the Dutch Red Bull driver.
The Weaknesses
It was an almost magical year for Woking, though not without some weak points displayed during the season, as highlighted by former F1 driver Anthony Davidson, now a pundit for Sky F1: “Facing Verstappen, I think the entire team learned more than just Norris, though obviously, Lando is part of the team and helps drive their performance,” he explained. “This year, I had the impression there were moments when McLaren was thrilled to be at the forefront, almost unable to believe their luck, as if they could leapfrog Red Bull. But they were exposed. They showed many weaknesses that were evident at the time, including flaws in their system and even in Lando’s racecraft.
From my perspective, it was enjoyable to see them grow, toughen up, and become faster and more refined as the season progressed. I really hope they can carry this momentum into next year because it will be an entire season of this kind of spectacle.”
Another step forward is also something former driver and current Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle hopes to see: “They had a wonderful season,” added the Briton. “At the start of 2023, they were at the back of the pack, last in the championship, and they developed their car. They have a truly cohesive team, and this shows what can be done. They improved everything they worked on, but they also missed some opportunities in 2024, no doubt. Silverstone was a race they should have won, but I believe they have great momentum moving forward.”
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