McLaren’s intra-team battle has become one of the defining storylines of the season, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri chasing a maiden Formula 1 crown while every single point takes on outsized importance. With only three drivers realistically in the hunt for the 2025 title, the margin for error is vanishing — and the dynamics inside McLaren could prove decisive.
The balance of power after Baku
Oscar Piastri arrived in Baku with a 25-point advantage over Lando Norris, but a rare sequence of mistakes from the Australian — including a jump start, a late Q3 crash at Turn 3 and contact with the wall on the opening lap at Turn 5 — trimmed his lead. Norris, by contrast, clawed back valuable points and kept his championship hopes firmly alive.
Different strengths, same target
Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella sees a clear contrast between the pair: Norris has shown flashes of brilliance punctuated by inconsistency, while Piastri has generally impressed with measured pace and calm race management. Baku, however, was the first moment Fisichella says he saw Piastri visibly under pressure — a possible turning point in a campaign that has otherwise been remarkably composed.
Why experience might tip the scales
Asked to pick a favourite, Fisichella narrowly sided with Norris, citing the Briton’s greater experience at this level as a subtle but meaningful edge in a title run-in. He believes Piastri has all the tools to become a multiple champion in the future, but argues that 2025 could be Norris’s best shot to convert his pace into the ultimate prize.
The wider title picture: every point counts
With Max Verstappen also back in the mix after Red Bull’s recent revival, the three-way fight at the top has turned the spotlight onto every small swing in form, strategy and execution. From qualifying mistakes to race-day decisions, the points left on the table now loom large. McLaren’s job is to keep both drivers on song while letting the championship settle on track — a delicate balancing act when one off-weekend can reshape the standings.
