DOWN TO THE WIRE

The competition was fierce, but in the end, the championship was won by just two points.

- WORDS AAKASH S PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY MCLAREN, FERRARI, SAUBER & RED BULL

McLaren and Lando Norris were the favourites heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season. We knew McLaren would return with a fast car, and based on the form Norris displayed last year, he was expected to be firmly in the title fight. After a rocky end to 2024, Red Bull appeared likely to struggle and fall out of contention. However, while Norris and McLaren eventually clinched the Drivers' and Constructors' titles respectively, the journey to that outcome was far from straightforward.

Norris faced fierce competition from his teammate, Oscar Piastri, from the early stages of the season. Piastri, in fact, looked as though he might run away with the title, having led the championship for 15 rounds. However, a sudden and somewhat mysterious drop in form from Baku onwards took the wind out of his championship charge, allowing Norris to overtake him in the standings. Although Piastri rediscovered his form in the final two races, it proved too little, too late.