Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has caused a stir in the Formula 1 paddock with his bold statement about McLaren’s recent decline in performance. According to him, McLaren has “lost the advantage they once had” earlier in the 2025 season.
At the beginning of the year, the MCL39 looked like an unbeatable machine. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated several early races, consistently outpacing Red Bull and Ferrari on both qualifying and race pace. McLaren’s aerodynamic efficiency and tire management gave them a clear edge.
However, Mekies believes that McLaren’s aggressive development strategy may have backfired. The continuous updates to the MCL39, intended to solidify their lead, might have disrupted the car’s balance and efficiency. The team now faces unexpected performance fluctuations.
Meanwhile, Red Bull has been quietly but steadily improving their RB21. After a difficult start to the season filled with reliability concerns, the team finally found a breakthrough in the mid-season upgrades introduced at Silverstone. The new package improved downforce and cornering stability significantly.
Max Verstappen, who struggled to keep up with Norris in the first few rounds, has now found renewed confidence in the RB21. His recent performances at Monza, Singapore, and Austin demonstrated that Red Bull is once again a serious contender for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
“McLaren’s dominance was never permanent,” Mekies told reporters. “They had a fantastic start, but Formula 1 is about constant adaptation. Our data shows that we’re now at a point where the RB21 can match their pace.”
The statement immediately triggered debates among fans and experts. Many agree that the gap between Red Bull and McLaren has narrowed, while others believe that Mekies’ words are psychological tactics aimed at increasing pressure on McLaren before the final races.
Lando Norris, when asked about Mekies’ comment, responded with confidence but also caution. “We’re aware the others are catching up,” he admitted. “But our focus hasn’t changed. We know what we need to do to stay competitive.”
Oscar Piastri, on the other hand, appeared slightly frustrated by recent results. After finishing fifth in Austin, he acknowledged that McLaren has to “regroup and refine” their setup to recover the pace they showed earlier in the season.
Behind the scenes, McLaren engineers have been working tirelessly to understand why their latest aerodynamic package hasn’t delivered the expected improvements. There are concerns that their pursuit of higher top speeds might have compromised stability during long runs.
Red Bull’s momentum, meanwhile, continues to grow. Verstappen’s synergy with the RB21 appears to be at its best. His driving style perfectly complements the car’s latest evolution, especially in medium-speed corners, where he gains crucial tenths per lap.
Sergio Pérez has also benefited from the recent updates, showing more consistent performances. His top-five finishes have helped Red Bull close the Constructors’ Championship gap with McLaren to just 23 points — a margin that could disappear within one race weekend.
Ferrari, though not entirely out of the picture, seems to be struggling to keep pace with the top two teams. Carlos Sainz’s podium in Suzuka was encouraging, but Charles Leclerc’s inconsistency has hurt the team’s overall momentum.
Analysts believe that the upcoming races in Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi will be decisive in determining whether McLaren can hold off Red Bull’s late-season charge. Historically, Red Bull performs exceptionally well at high-altitude circuits, giving them a potential advantage.
According to Mekies, “The fight for the title will now depend on execution — pit stops, strategies, and minimizing mistakes. Every detail matters when the cars are this close.” His words underline the razor-thin margins that define modern Formula 1 competition.
As for Verstappen, his focus remains unshaken. The Dutchman has made it clear that his goal is not only to reclaim dominance but to prove that Red Bull’s engineering excellence remains unmatched even under regulatory changes.
With only a few races left, the tension between McLaren and Red Bull is reaching boiling point. Every qualifying lap, every pit stop, and every tire strategy could decide the fate of this championship battle that has captivated millions of fans around the world.
In the end, Mekies’ statement may prove prophetic. Whether McLaren can recover their early-season superiority or Red Bull’s resurgence will culminate in another championship triumph remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the fight is far from over.
