McLaren nears glory in Formula 1: Champions in Azerbaijan?
The 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most successful in McLaren’s history. With the Constructors’ Championship within reach, the team could secure the title long before the dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi.
After securing their first constructors’ title in 26 years in 2024, McLaren is on track to retain the crown in record time, with several races still to go.
The earliest date they could mathematically secure the championship is at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, on September 21st, the 16th race of the season.
After this weekend’s race in Baku, 346 points will be up for grabs from eight rounds. McLaren has a 337-point lead over Ferrari.
Since McLaren already has enough victories to nullify any tiebreaker, a 346-point lead over second place would secure the title for the team.
Mercedes and Red Bull are also in the fight for second place, so McLaren will be crowned champion in Azerbaijan if:
Outscores Ferrari by nine points or more.
Is not outscored by Mercedes by 12 points or more.
Is not outscored by Red Bull by 33 points or more.
McLaren is about to win the Constructors’ Championship earlier in F1 history.
This goal seems very feasible given McLaren’s current form. The only race this season in which they did not meet the previous three conditions was the Canadian Grand Prix, where Mercedes finished first and third, and Ferrari also outperformed McLaren.
With a dominant car and exceptional performances from drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, McLaren has already achieved 12 race victories and seven one-two finishes in the first 15 races of 2025. The relentless pace and consistency have created a considerable lead in the standings, with 617 points compared to Ferrari’s 280.
The F1 record for the earliest victory in the Constructors’ Championship occurred in 2023, when Red Bull won it with six races remaining.
McLaren secured their ninth constructors’ title, and their first since 1998, in the last race of the 2024 season, surpassing Ferrari by 14 points thanks to a victory by Norris.
Piastri and Norris are immersed in a much more competitive battle for the Drivers’ Championship, with the Australian leading his teammate by 31 points.
