McLaren fears the title duel could end like in 2007

McLaren finds itself in a dominant position in the 2025 Formula 1 season. 

With 11 victories in 14 races for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, the team leads both the drivers’ championship and the constructors’ championship. 

But with two such evenly matched drivers fighting directly for the world championship, the risk of internal conflict arises, and the McLaren management acknowledges that the situation is reminiscent of the infamous 2007 season.

Back then, the relationship between Fernando Alonso and the young Lewis Hamilton collapsed in a dramatic internal showdown, which cost McLaren the world title and created deep divisions within the team.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown tells the outlet The Race that the team is aware of the danger: 

– We recognise that the consequence could be a repeat of 2007. You have two drivers who are level and who lose to Kimi (Raikkonen) by a single point. We could have won that championship, but whom do you then choose to support? And the one you don’t choose leaves the team.

Tactical freedom and a close partnership

McLaren has chosen a clear strategy of equal treatment of its drivers, where neither has contractual precedence. 

The team gives both of them the opportunity to fight freely on track and to choose strategic differences if it benefits the race outcome. 

However, this has created tension in a few races, such as when Norris beat Piastri in Hungary with an alternative pit strategy, and when they collided in Canada after Norris misjudged a situation.

Brown believes, however, that the team’s transparent approach and the strong relationship between the drivers minimise the risk of an internal breakdown.

– We talk openly about it. We meet every Sunday morning. They know each other’s strategies. They have never done anything to annoy one another. We expect them to hit each other again. It’s racing. But I am convinced it will never be on purpose, explains Brown.

Current dynamics differ from 2007

McLaren points out that the circumstances in 2025 differ markedly from 2007. 

Back then Alonso was new to the team, while Hamilton was a rookie but with strong backing after having been a McLaren junior. 

That combination created internal tension from the outset.

Today Norris and Piastri have driven three seasons together and established a good cooperation. 

Although Norris has more experience in Formula 1, Brown does not believe it creates an imbalance:

– They are both experienced now. They know that only one can win the championship. But who has been here the longest no longer matters.

McLaren sticks to philosophy despite risk

McLaren maintains that the advantages of having two strong drivers outweigh the risk. 

The team wants to win both the constructors’ and the drivers’ championships and does not believe that favouritism benefits the whole.

– We know that if we favour one, we risk the other leaving us – just like in 2007. Other teams favour one driver, and that can help in the drivers’ championship, but it harms the constructors’ standings. Both championships are important to us, says Brown.