The 2025 Formula 1 season is approaching its grand finale with three races remaining and the drivers’ championship still wide open. Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen remain in contention, but McLaren appears to hold a decisive advantage. However, Max Verstappen has issued an indirect warning to the Woking-based team, highlighting the risks of having two title contenders in the same squad.
McLaren faces a high-tension finish
With Lando Norris leading Oscar Piastri by 24 points and the reigning world champion by 49 points, McLaren is in a privileged position. After securing the Constructors’ Championship, the British team now aims for the Drivers’ Title, but the internal battle between its two stars could turn into an obstacle.
Speaking on the podcast Pelas Pistas, Max Verstappen explained: “In Formula 1, when a veteran driver is at the peak of their career, it is necessary for a younger driver to step in as their performance declines, someone with enough talent to reach that level, so the team doesn’t suffer and fall behind.”
The football analogy and final warning
To clarify his point, Max Verstappen compared the management of top F1 teams to that of major football clubs: “It’s like Real Madrid, which seems right to me… even if I support Barcelona. They have an excellent starting lineup but ensure that veterans are replaced by young talents capable of taking their place.”
The world champion added: “When you have the two best drivers in one team, they will always end up getting in each other’s way. And, in the end, even if the team is dominant, it will split and encounter problems,” referring to the so-called “papaya rules.” ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
McLaren now faces a crossroads: manage two drivers fighting for the same goal or risk compromising a season that has been impeccable so far. Max Verstappen’s words serve as a warning: coexisting with two championship contenders can become a double-edged sword. The season finale will reveal whether Woking can maintain balance or if internal tensions will explode at the crucial moment.
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