McLaren Making Moves at the Top; Others Preparing for 2025

A dominant win in Singapore showing us the potential McLaren and Lando Norris have to win both the Constructors’ & Drivers’ Championships. An additional race for third in the Drivers’ also intriguing the crowd in Southern Asia.



One thing is clear after Singapore: McLaren is far ahead of Red Bull design wise. The Constructors’ Championship appearing to be settled, although nothing is certain. But the real focus is the Drivers’ Championship; specifically, how far ahead is Norris of Verstappen - positionally - after each race?

Many have done the math and where each finishes at the end is vital to the final outcome. It was a firecracker start of the season for Verstappen. But he has not won a race since Spain despite finishing second three times, including today. Norris, 52 points behind Verstappen, having a special year but needs a bit more magic and potentially some help from his teammate to keep the space over the last races. In a perfect world it could be as easy as Verstappen not finishing twice and a two-points better finish at over three of the last six races. It is not impossible but highly unlikely.

Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri on a hot streak lately. After winning in Azerbaijan he finished P3 today. Now he is pushing for third-place in the Drivers’ Championship, only eight points behind Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc. Piastri has been in the top five over the last eight races, with an additional win back in Belgium. LeClerc finishing outside the top ten twice in that same timespan. The gap between fourth-place and fifth and sixth is decent but not too large. But when you are talking names like Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Fernando Alonso you can't discredit anyone from upping their game over the final stretch of this season.

Looking ahead to Austin drivers will be taking a month-long break before the October 20th race. Last year’s winner was Max Verstappen, Norris finishing about 11 seconds behind. But if this year has not shown you things are much different: Be prepared for a showdown in the Lone Star state.

Looking ahead to 2025: The latter half of this season has brought a new excitement to the mid-field races. Numerous races in recent weeks seeing the bottom ten placing all over. Williams and Haas the best finishers in recent races. This only meaning we could see an interesting fight for fourth, fifth and sixth-best teams next year. The sudden rise from both teams showing the potential 2026 brings when new rules and regulations go in effect. Let us not forget Audi is taking over the Kick Sauber team in 2026 and the Andretti family is also efforting their way in.

Another exciting development is the young drivers slowly arriving to replace longtime veterans of the sport. The emergence of Franco Colapinto, albeit short and temporary, breathing new life into the middle of the field. Drivers like Pierre Gasly and even Colapinto’s teammate Alex Albon now having to fight for points - themselves. This comes as Carlos Sainz, a current Ferrari driver, is set to join Williams with Lewis Hamilton replacing him. Of course Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman also joining the circuit next year, driving for Mercedes and Haas respectively.

All this comes as there are only two more seats to fill for 2025. The biggest news of all: Daniel Ricciardo could be out at RB, Red Bull's Junior team. A decision about his future expected soon as talk is Liam Lawson will replace him to finish out the season. Additionally, rumors spreading Valteri Botas will be staying at Kick through the next season, expected to be his last if confirmed. The signing reportedly happening over the next week or two. Although nothing has been confirmed yet as rumors of Colapinto to the team also brew, meaning we must wait for the official announcement.