Charles Leclerc says Lando Norris’ McLaren is on the ‘same level’ as the most dominant car in F1 history

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Charles Leclerc has been, like the rest of the Formula 1 grid, struggling to keep up with McLaren in 2025. The Woking outfit have stormed to the front of the field in commanding fashion.

McLaren emerged as the fastest package midway through the 2024 season, but Max Verstappen had already built a big enough lead to win the title. Several mistakes cost Lando Norris in the second half of the season as he lost to the Dutchman by 69 points.

But it was clear that Red Bull no longer had the fastest car, and as F1 turned up to pre-season testing in 2025, ‘everyone’ knew McLaren had the strongest car. While Norris was quick to play down the data, he quickly showed how dominant the MCL39 is.

McLaren have won 11 of the 14 races thus far in 2025, with Norris grabbing five wins and Piastri six. With six 1-2 finishes – four in the last four Grands Prix – the team are a staggering 299 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.

The Maranello outfit are yet to win a race this season, with the small operating window of the SF-25 and errors from the pit wall frustrating their drivers. Leclerc had to be stopped from ‘exploding’ in the media pen after he lost the Hungarian GP to the McLarens.

Charles Leclerc says Lando Norris’ 2025 McLaren is on the ‘same level’ as Max Verstappen’s RB19

With their current trajectory, McLaren look almost guaranteed to win both titles in 2025. The MCL39 has been the class of the field, and could end up being one of the most dominant cars in F1 history.

Statistically, the Red Bull RB19 is the best F1 car ever built. Driven by Verstappen and Sergio Perez in 2023, the duo won 21 out of 22 races, with Leclerc’s then-Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz stopping them from a clean sweep in Singapore.

Interestingly, the RB19 would not make it to Q3 on today’s grid, highlighting how far the F1 cars have come in development over the years.

Speaking with Autosprint, Leclerc says the MCL39 is on the ‘same level’ as the RB19, but stressed that McLaren have two strong drivers to depend on, whereas Verstappen completely dominated Perez.

“I’d say they’re on the same level,” said Leclerc. “The difference is that McLaren has two very good drivers, while RB was banking mainly on Max Verstappen. Both had the fastest car and don’t make mistakes, they’re always there. Both are destroying the competition.”

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

The Mercedes record that McLaren could break in 2025

With 10 races to go in 2025, it is almost impossible for McLaren to be caught in the constructors’ championship, given that no other team has matched their consistency.

McLaren could break Mercedes’ record for the most 1-2 finishes in a season. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg grabbed 12 in 2025; Oscar Piastri and Norris need seven more from the last 10 events to set a new record.

The McLaren duo are set for an intense battle for the title, with just nine points separating them. Norris has swung the momentum back in his favour, with three wins from the last four Grands Prix.

McLaren will let Piastri and Norris ‘tear each other apart’ on track after the summer break. While it could cause a headache for the team, it will set up an incredibly entertaining fight for the 2025 championship.