McLaren’s second shot at Constructors’ glory in Singapore

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After stumbling in Baku, McLaren returns to Formula 1’s Marina Bay showcase this weekend with a second chance to clinch the 2025 Constructors’ Championship – and this time, the odds are stacked firmly in team papaya’s favor.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix offered the Woking-based outfit its first opportunity to seal the crown, but the team endured its worst outing of the season, limping away with just six points. That temporary hiccup delayed what many view as an inevitable coronation.

Now, the equation is refreshingly simple: if McLaren score at least 13 points in Singapore, they’ll secure back-to-back Constructors’ titles – the 10th in the team’s storied history.

Given the squad’s record this season, with 12 wins and seven 1-2 finishes in 17 races, that target looks well within reach. As long as Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris bags a podium under the floodlights in Marina Bay, the celebrations can begin.

The Numbers Game

McLaren currently sit on 623 points, leaving their rivals in the dust. Mercedes (290), Ferrari (286), and Red Bull (272) are all more than 330 points adrift. With seven races left on the docket – three of them sprint weekends – the theoretical maximum remaining is 346 points, but the math is almost laughably in McLaren’s favor.

Even if the team somehow fails to score in Singapore, it would take a double podium from Mercedes to push the decision to Austin. That’s a tall order, given the Silver Arrows have only managed one such result all season – back in Montreal, where George Russell won with Andrea Kimi Antonelli in third.

As for Ferrari, they’d need to outscore McLaren by 35 points at Marina Bay to keep the fight alive. That would require nothing less than a win and a second podium finish – a scenario as unlikely as spotting a scarlet unicorn, given the Scuderia haven’t taken a victory all year and Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his first podium in red.

A Title Written in Papaya

With Max Verstappen’s Red Bull already out of contention and the competition floundering, McLaren’s second consecutive title looks all but assured. Singapore may only be the 18th round of the season, but the title battle feels like it has already been decided.

For Zak Brown’s team, Sunday under the lights is less about “if” and more about “when.” After Baku’s false start, McLaren now stands just one podium finish away from cementing their dominance and adding another glittering chapter to their legacy.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.