McLaren extend their lead, But Verstappen steals the spotlight

The Star

2 days ago

Obakeng Meletse | Published 8 hours ago
McLaren's dominance of the 2025 Formula One season is quickly becoming the norm, as the Woking-based outfit stretched their lead in both championships once again. But despite Oscar Piastri's commanding fifth win of the season handing him a ten-point lead at the top of the world drivers' championship, it was Max Verstappen who stole the headlines after a controversial end to the Spanish Grand Prix.
Piastri now leads the standings with 186 points, closely followed by teammate Lando Norris on 176. The pair have consistently outpaced the field this season, leaving only Verstappen (137 points) as a distant challenger — though his hopes took a serious hit in Barcelona.
Verstappen's race unravelled late after a collision with George Russell earned him a 10-second penalty, demoting him to 10th place.
The Red Bull driver had already expressed frustration with his tyre strategy — concerns that proved justified when the race resumed on lap 64 of 66 following a late safety car. Struggling for grip on hard tyres, Verstappen was quickly overtaken by Charles Leclerc for third place.
Moments later, Russell attempted a move on the Dutchman into Turn 1, leading to contact. Verstappen was instructed by his team to yield the position, and although he appeared to comply, he slowed erratically and made contact with Russell again — a move that seemed deliberate.
Though both cars escaped major damage, the incident raised eyebrows. Verstappen's aggressive defense and controversial retaliation arguably warranted a harsher penalty. That he still finished in the points despite such conduct left many questioning whether the punishment fit the offense.
Charles Leclerc produced another standout performance for Ferrari, finishing third despite being outqualified by teammate Lewis Hamilton for just the second time this season. It marked Leclerc's third podium of 2025, while Hamilton continues to chase his first.
While Ferrari may lack outright pace compared to McLaren and Mercedes, Leclerc has consistently delivered strong results. He's made fewer mistakes, extracted more from the car, and has been a key factor in Ferrari holding second in the Constructors' Championship — just six points clear of a resurgent Mercedes team.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, brings immense experience and pedigree to Ferrari. But so far, it's Leclerc who's set the standard, quietly proving himself as the team's true leader.
Few rookies have turned heads this season like Isack Hadjar. Alongside fellow debutant Kimi Antonelli, Hadjar has impressed with his maturity and pace — despite a difficult debut that saw him crash out in Australia.
Since then, Hadjar has bounced back with resilience, collecting 21 points and outperforming teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who continues to struggle with the unpredictable RB16. Tsunoda's inconsistency has only strengthened the case for Hadjar, who now finds himself in contention for a more prominent role within the Red Bull system.
At just 20-years old, Hadjar is not only showing promise — he's making a strong argument for a future seat at the senior team.
With McLaren surging ahead, Verstappen under scrutiny, Ferrari balancing internal dynamics, and fresh talent rising through the ranks, the 2025 season is far from decided. As the paddock heads to Canada next, the pressure is mounting — and every point will matter.