The Big Picture
McLaren's 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most dominant in its history, drawing strong comparisons to the legendary 1988 campaign of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The team has displayed exceptional performance, putting them on track to potentially surpass historical benchmarks.
Why It Matters
This isn't just a resurgence; McLaren is demonstrating an unparalleled level of consistency and execution. Their current form highlights a complete team effort, from car development to driver performance, signaling a new era of dominance in F1.
By the Numbers
- Season-to-Date (After 14 Races):
- 2025 (Piastri & Norris): 11 wins, 24 podiums, 7 one-two finishes.
- 1988 (Senna & Prost): 13 wins, 21 podiums, 8 one-two finishes.
- Historical Context: 2025 marks McLaren’s third-most wins in a season and most podiums ever after 14 races. It's the fifth time the team has secured 10+ wins in a season.
- Driver Parity: Óscar Piastri (6 wins, 4 poles) and Lando Norris (5 wins, 5 poles) are in a tight intra-team battle. They've collectively scored 86% of available points, exceeding Senna and Prost's rate at this stage in 1988.
- Adjusted Points: Using 2025 scoring (excl. sprints), Piastri leads Norris (263 vs 260). Senna (232) and Prost (258) would have trailed. Under 1988 scoring, Piastri (87) and Norris (88) are neck-and-neck, while Senna (79) and Prost (90) also showed close competition.
- Reliability Advantage: 2025 McLaren has only one DNF (Norris in Canada), contrasting sharply with 1988's three mechanical retirements and one disqualification by the same stage.
- Pole Positions: While 1988 saw 13 poles in 14 races, 2025 has 8. However, McLaren's race-day strength, including four consecutive one-two finishes before the summer break, has more than compensated.
What's Next
With 10 rounds remaining, McLaren's 2025 campaign is poised to be one of the most statistically formidable seasons in F1 history. Whether it can ultimately match or surpass the untouchable benchmark of 1988 will be a compelling storyline to watch.