After completing driving lessons, experiencing the challenging roadways known as the "Green Hell"
In the current Formula 1 season, the fourth driver for one of the McLaren teams remains unnamed. The confirmed drivers for McLaren are Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with no additional driver listed for the 2025 season. This means that for the time being, McLaren only fields two drivers this season.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, has recently secured his Nordschleife driving license during a Formula 1-free weekend. The Red Bull camp anticipates further victories from Verstappen in the upcoming races.
The season has seen its fair share of incidents, with Norris crashing into Piastri's car in Montreal. Despite this setback, Piastri managed to finish fourth. However, such incidents can cost points for the team, and the tension between the two drivers has sparked debate about McLaren's strategy.
The British team finds itself in a prominent position for the first time in a title decision. The remaining 200 points to be won in the eight main races will decide the fate of the drivers' championship. Piastri and Norris are both in contention, and neither driver should be favoured over the other, according to Norbert Haug, a supporter of the 'Papaya Rules' that state there is no number one and decisions are made on the track.
The 'Papaya Rules' also emphasise the need for tension and conflict within the team to avoid falling apart. Haug believes that anything less than a triumph for Piastri or Norris in the drivers' championship would be a bitter disappointment.
In 2007, a similar situation occurred when two McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, competed for the title. Kimi Räikkönen, who was not driving for McLaren, went on to win the championship that year.
Haug, who was the motorsport director at McLaren partner Mercedes in 2007, now supports a comeback in the title fight for Max Verstappen. Helmut Marko, the motorsport consultant, is optimistic about Verstappen's performance in Baku and fast tracks.
Looking ahead, Verstappen will start at the 24-hour race in April next year. The Formula 1 season is in the final countdown, and the races ahead promise to be exciting as the drivers fight for the championship.
