The latter part of the 2025 Formula 1 season is upon us.
After a two-week break marked by layoffs, the teams will reunite at the Belgian Grand Prix—one of just two races before the summer pause in August. With 12 race weekends still ahead, the title battle is concentrated on McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Piastri holds an 8-point advantage. However, Norris, having recently secured consecutive Grand Prix wins, appears to be heading into Spa with strong momentum.
What will happen in this intense McLaren rivalry as the season progresses?
The official F1 website interviewed five racing legends, including 2009 champion Jenson Button, 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve, David Cour, Johnny Herbert, and Stephen Johansson.
These icons believe the championship will likely come down to the wire.
“If this were a halfway point in the World Championships, I’d say Oscar is in a solid position,” remarked one veteran. “No one can deny he deserves that lead; he’s proven it before. But with Norris showing promise, especially later in the season, he’s up against a skilled driver in his third year. It’s just like 2021—only one driver can emerge victorious. Max and Lewis showcased their talents that year, but only one could take the title.”
The former drivers commended McLaren for its management of the competition.
“McLaren seems to be handling this nicely. Their drivers appear more calm and collected rather than aggressive. But this might be their only shot at a world title. The future is uncertain, so seizing that opportunity is crucial. Oscar has truly risen to the occasion this year,” one legend noted.
Johansson indicated that the outcome may depend on specific situations.
“It’ll likely go down to the final races. Ultimately, certain factors might tip the championship in favor of one. Speed-wise, they’re neck and neck; it might come down to racecraft and making the right calls without mistakes. Oscar faced a penalty at Silverstone, and whether it was fair can be debated, but it’s these moments that can shift the championship landscape.”
Both Button and Herbert praised Piastri’s mindset. This aligns with what McLaren CEO Zak Brown mentioned about his calm progression throughout weekends, especially during his rookie year.
“Austria was crucial for Norris. If he doesn’t get a win soon, it can weigh heavily on drivers. They can be their own harshest critics,” one expert reflected.
“Mistakes happen, it’s part of racing. I admire Oscar’s character; he’s really got a lot going for him,” another added.
“Piastri has approached F1 maturely,” remarked Herbert. “He’s in the right team at the right time and is performing well. Conversely, Norris is evolving, he may be a late bloomer in a sense, but those recent events could serve as lessons for him.”
“It really hinges on their mental states, but they’re both young and, like Max, will keep improving. The competition is very close.”
Like others, Villeneuve refrained from making predictions. Button seemed to edge closer to a conclusion but highlighted how Silverstone shaped their dynamic.
“They’re both talented in different ways, and either could come out on top. I feel like Norris is still finding his speed, but he can sometimes hold himself back,” Villeneuve noted.
“Piastri’s Silverstone penalty may have shifted his approach. When you’re in a championship fight, it changes everything. Norris, being the one in the lead, will have to contend with that pressure.”
You can catch their full insights regarding the remainder of the season, alongside discussions about Lewis Hamilton’s performance at Ferrari and Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull on the official Formula One website.
