2025 F1 Championship Fight Now a Two-Horse Race Between McLaren Pair, Says Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri is currently leading the F1 championship, with McLaren showing dominant form this season. Piastri and Norris have emerged as the key contenders, while Max Verstappen trails by 81 points in third position.
Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri admitted on Thursday that the title fight has now effectively become a McLaren-only contest between himself and teammate Lando Norris.
The Australian holds a 16-point lead over Norris ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, which is the final race before the August mid-season break.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen—who has four titles with Red Bull—is now a distant 81 points behind in third, a deficit that appears increasingly difficult to overcome, given McLaren’s present performance.
“I Suppose So”: Piastri Accepts It’s a Two-Way Fight
When asked by reporters in Budapest whether the title race had turned into a two-way battle between himself and Norris, Piastri responded, “I suppose so.”
While both drivers and McLaren team officials had earlier avoided making any definitive statements regarding the championship outlook, recent performances have made it hard to deny.
“Each weekend now—or at least in the last few races—it’s been Lando and me,” said Piastri. “I still expect solid competition and a close fight, especially at certain circuits later in the year.”
Despite the widening lead, Piastri cautioned against completely ruling out other rivals just yet. “Whether that’s from Max, or Ferrari, or Mercedes, or someone else—we can’t be sure. I’m not overly focused on that. My aim is just to win races and keep building the lead.”
McLaren Commanding the Grid
McLaren’s form in the 2024 season has been remarkable. The team has already achieved six one-two finishes out of 13 races, with Piastri taking six wins and Norris securing four. In comparison, Verstappen has only managed two race victories so far this year.
McLaren sits on top of the Constructors’ Championship standings with 516 points, enjoying a massive 268-point lead over second-placed Ferrari.
The Hungaroring is anticipated to once again suit McLaren’s strengths. “Hungary has traditionally been a strong track for us as a team—certainly during my two years with them,” Piastri remarked. “I think we’ll be strong again this weekend.”
The 23-year-old Australian clinched his maiden Formula One win at this circuit last year, while Norris had started that race from pole position.
