Is Lando Norris the rightful owner of the 2025 F1 title? It’s a question that’s sparking heated debates, even within the McLaren team itself. With Norris leading Oscar Piastri by 24 points, you’d think the answer would be clear. But here’s where it gets controversial: Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, insists the debate is purely ‘academic.’ Let’s break it down.
This season has been a rollercoaster for McLaren, with the Woking-based team on track for a 1-2 finish—unless Max Verstappen pulls off a late miracle. The battle between Norris and Piastri has been nothing short of thrilling, with momentum shifting back and forth like a high-stakes game of ping-pong. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about who’s leading now, but who can hold their nerve until the final race.
Norris kicked off the season with a bang, winning the first four races, including a dominant performance in Australia. Piastri, meanwhile, struggled in the wet, finishing ninth. But the tide turned in Saudi Arabia, where Piastri secured his third win of the season, snatching the lead from Norris. The two teammates were neck-and-neck until the Dutch Grand Prix, where an engine failure cost Norris dearly, handing Piastri a 34-point advantage. At that moment, it seemed like Piastri was in the driver’s seat—literally.
However, here’s where the plot thickens: Piastri’s form took a nosedive from Azerbaijan to Brazil, with no top-three finishes. Meanwhile, Norris roared back to life, delivering one of the season’s most dominant performances in Brazil’s Sprint weekend, with two pole positions and two wins. By Mexico City, Norris had reclaimed the lead by a single point and has since extended it to 24. But with three race weekends left and 83 points still up for grabs, anything could happen.
When asked about the championship race, Stella remains pragmatic. ‘For me, the only way to approach this is one race at a time,’ he told the media in Brazil. ‘Talking about whether Lando ‘owns’ the title is academic. We need to focus on maximizing points and executing weekends like we did in Brazil and Mexico.’
But here’s the controversial bit: Is Stella downplaying the psychological edge Norris currently holds? Or is he right to keep the team’s focus on the here and now? Vegas could be the game-changer. If Norris wins and Verstappen finishes sixth or lower, the Red Bull driver’s title hopes would mathematically vanish. Yet, McLaren’s history in Sin City isn’t stellar—they struggled last year. Stella, however, is optimistic, citing lessons learned and improved tire performance.
So, does Norris ‘own’ the title? Or is it still anyone’s game? What do you think? Is Stella’s ‘academic’ stance a smart strategy, or is he underestimating the mental battle between his drivers? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over!
