McLaren enters Miami with a good problem: two drivers performing at a high level, but only one holding the championship lead. Oscar Piastri’s steady brilliance has vaulted him to the top of the standings, while Lando Norris, though still fast, finds himself battling inconsistency and rising pressure. The team has always backed both drivers equally, but with a potential title on the line, that philosophy may no longer be sustainable.
Our editorial team’s take? It’s time to start asking the uncomfortable question: has Piastri earned the upgrade priority?
Piastri’s Form Is Forcing McLaren’s Hand
Let’s start with the obvious: Oscar Piastri has been the sharper of the two McLaren drivers in 2025. His clean execution, strategic maturity, and measured aggression have turned him from “the future” into “the guy.” He’s taken three wins so far, none inherited, all earned, and leads the World Drivers’ Championship with a quiet confidence that has caught even Zak Brown’s attention.
Brown, speaking to Formula1.com, said, “He’s only going to get stronger.” That’s not just praise, it’s preparation. As the season evolves, there’s a growing understanding within McLaren that Piastri may be their best shot at bringing a WDC title back to Woking for the first time since 2008 (thanks to Lewis Hamilton).
Our team reviewed every qualifying session and race lap this season, and the numbers back it up. Piastri’s average qualifying delta to Norris has tightened. His tire management on high-deg tracks like Shanghai and Jeddah has been nearly flawless. More importantly, he hasn’t flinched in high-pressure scenarios.
This is Lando’s old playbook, but Piastri’s executing it better.
Lando’s Ceiling Remains High… But So Do the Stakes
This isn’t a Norris write-off – I’m personally a fan after all. The Brit is still podium-capable on any given Sunday, and arguably the more dynamic overtaker when the gloves come off. But there’s a difference between being fast and being first. Norris has struggled to convert strong starts into consistent results, and even he admits it: “I make life tough for myself,” he told Motorsport.
Behind the scenes, he’s made changes, cutting alcohol, refocusing mentally, sharpening his fitness. But the mistake rate and self-criticism linger. In a field where milliseconds separate P3 from P7, that internal noise matters.
As one might say in our F1natics team chats: Norris is a guy trying to prove he’s the leader. Piastri is just leading.
Equal Cars, Unequal Stakes
McLaren has long been praised for its equal-driver philosophy, but that’s a luxury only teams not fighting for titles can afford. In Miami, both Piastri and Norris will reportedly run identical spec. That’s fine for now. But as the European stretch of the calendar begins, development parts will become scarcer. And someone is going to get them first.
From a performance standpoint, it’s clear: Piastri’s consistency, track adaptability, and clean tire profiles give him the edge. From a team standpoint? Prioritizing him could mean keeping the gap to Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, or risk falling back into “best of the rest” territory like Red Bull did last year.
Our analysis: this isn’t about playing favorites, it’s about playing smart. Just ask Ferrari how late indecision cost them in 2022.
Zak Brown’s Big Picture: Momentum, Marketability, and Miami
Let’s not forget, McLaren isn’t just racing, they’re building a business. Zak Brown’s CNBC interview laid it bare: performance = sponsors = growth. And in that formula, Piastri’s rising stock is becoming a central asset. He’s delivering wins and camera-friendly composure. Lando is still the face of the brand but Oscar is the guy racking up the silverware.
If McLaren wants to win both on and off the track in 2025, leaning into momentum may be non-negotiable.
F1natics Miami Watchlist: Vegas, Bets, and a Stats-Driven Prediction
Our editorial team will be on the ground in Las Vegas this weekend (and Miami if we hit a jackpot), soaking in the electric atmosphere, watching the Miami GP trackside via fan hubs, and maybe even throwing down a bet or two. Will Piastri go back-to-back? Is this the moment Lando silences the doubters? Or will Max Verstappen — now cast as a bizarre underdog remind everyone why he’s a four-time champ?
This author, stats nerd that I am, has built a predictive model based on 2024 and 2025 qualifying and race data. It weighs variables including:
- Track type (street vs permanent)
- Qualifying deltas and position
- Race gaps and position
- Driver trends
- Team trends
- Historical Miami performance
- 2024 and 2025 performance
The model gives us a surprising but logical qualifying top 3: Piastri, Leclerc, Norris. Not surprising to see McLaren dominating, but perhaps a return to the podium for Leclerc? A bright orange and red first two rows would be fitting for Miami.
Of course, data isn’t destiny. But if Miami plays out like Saudi Arabia did, don’t be surprised to see Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, or even Kimi Antonelli right in the mix. And after this first visit to the States for 2025, Mclaren may possibly be forced to decide, once and for all, who gets the better tools to finish the job.
