McLaren are broadly anticipated to own F1’s quickest automobile at subsequent week’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However the query of who will most intently problem the constructors’ champions on the 2025 curtain-raiser is hotly debated.
Ferrari, Crimson Bull and Mercedes confirmed glimpses of their potential in F1 pre-season testing however stay removed from a assured wager.
Lewis Hamilton, on his Ferrari debut, races in a grand prix he has gained twice and been on the rostrum at on 10 events.
Max Verstappen retains his standing as F1’s prime driver and drivers’ champion regardless of doubts round his automobile.
Our consultants had their say on who McLaren should be careful for…
Lewis Larkam: “Ferrari appeared to maintain their playing cards near their chest in pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“I feel Ferrari would be the closest challengers to McLaren in Australia, and I wouldn’t be completely shocked if they really took the win.
“There’s simply one thing in regards to the Prancing Horse successful the opening spherical of the season in Melbourne, which coincidentally occurs to be one among Lewis Hamilton’s greatest tracks…”
Lewis Hamilton
Connor McDonagh: “It may need been a patchy three days of testing for Crimson Bull in Bahrain however it will be silly to rule Max Verstappen out.
“Even when Crimson Bull aren’t fairly on McLaren’s tempo, Verstappen will probably be there or thereabouts.
“There are nonetheless query marks round Mercedes’ tempo amid the cooler circumstances in Bahrain. Plus, we’ve but to see the most effective from Ferrari.
“Verstappen has proved persistently over the previous few years that he’s comfortably the most effective driver on the grid – and most constant.”
Lewis Duncan: “McLaren ought to hit the bottom working and be onerous to beat in Melbourne. The workforce clearly has the most effective automobile in F1 for the time being and each of its drivers are greater than able to controlling races.
“Pre-season testing is all the time onerous to learn, however the tempo that Lewis Hamilton confirmed within the Ferrari appears encouraging.
“The problem forward of him and the injection of contemporary confidence his Ferrari change has already introduced him also needs to imply we see a extra fired up model of the seven-time champion than we’ve performed for a very long time.”
