McLaren Growing ‘Nervous’ as New Piastri–Norris ‘Problem’ Threatens Title Fight with Verstappen
McLaren may be celebrating their dominant run in the Constructors’ Championship this season, but the atmosphere within the team is far from relaxed. With only five rounds remaining in the 2025 Formula 1 season, tension is rising as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri face a growing challenge — not just from each other, but from a resurgent Max Verstappen.
The British team, which has returned to the top of F1 after years of rebuilding, now finds itself in unfamiliar territory. Having comfortably secured the Constructors’ crown, McLaren’s focus has shifted to the Drivers’ Championship, where their two young stars are locked in a close and increasingly complicated battle. Piastri currently leads the standings, with Norris just 14 points behind after the United States Grand Prix. However, Verstappen’s relentless comeback is quickly turning the title fight into a three-way showdown.
The Red Bull driver, a four-time world champion, is only 40 points adrift of Piastri. After winning three of the last five Grands Prix, Verstappen has rediscovered the unstoppable form that defined his reign in 2023. His late-season charge has left McLaren and its drivers looking over their shoulders, aware that any slip-up could hand the advantage back to the Dutchman.
Former F1 driver and Sky Germany pundit Timo Glock has warned that the Woking-based team could face serious problems in the final stretch of the season. Speaking after the Austin race, Glock suggested that McLaren’s biggest issue isn’t internal rivalry — it’s the unpredictable strength of rival teams that could interfere with their title hopes.
“The whole team is nervous,” Glock told Sky Germany. “The problem for McLaren is that there are tracks where Mercedes suddenly comes alive, or where Ferrari finds strong pace. That’s the real issue for Oscar and Lando — other teams could take valuable points away from them.”
According to Glock, Verstappen remains the biggest threat of all. “For me, Max Verstappen is still too dominant for anyone to put him under real pressure,” he said. “He knows how to win championships, and that experience could make the difference in the final races.”
Despite McLaren’s impressive consistency, the dynamic between Piastri and Norris could complicate matters further. Both drivers have shown remarkable speed and maturity this season, but with the championship on the line, the pressure is intensifying. Team strategy, qualifying battles, and race-day decisions could now become flashpoints as the pair fight for personal glory while trying not to hand the advantage to Verstappen.
Adding to McLaren’s worries is the pace resurgence of both Ferrari and Mercedes. Ferrari’s improved straight-line speed and Mercedes’ tire management have made them dangerous wildcards. At circuits like Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas — all still to come — those variables could dramatically shake up the order, leaving McLaren exposed to surprise results.
The upcoming races are crucial. With five Grands Prix and two sprint events remaining, there are still hundreds of points up for grabs. Verstappen’s ability to maximize every opportunity means that even a single DNF or a strategic blunder from McLaren could swing the title in his favor.
At the United States Grand Prix, Norris’ podium finish narrowed the gap to his teammate, but it was Verstappen who once again stole the spotlight. The Dutch driver’s experience and calm under pressure have reignited memories of his dominant championship runs — and that’s precisely what has McLaren “nervous,” as Glock put it.
While Piastri and Norris continue to impress, neither has faced a championship showdown of this magnitude before. Verstappen, on the other hand, is chasing a record-equalling fifth consecutive world title, and few doubt his ability to deliver under pressure.
As the season heads toward its thrilling finale, McLaren find themselves in a delicate balancing act — managing two ambitious drivers, defending against Verstappen’s resurgence, and maintaining focus amid rising pressure. Whether Piastri or Norris can hold off the Red Bull charge remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fight for the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship is far from over — and McLaren’s biggest battle might be keeping calm under fire.
