Fernando Alonso says there’s a key distinction between his fierce 2007 championship battle with Lewis Hamilton and the tense title fight currently unfolding at McLaren in 2025. Both he and Hamilton missed out on the crown that year despite being strong contenders.
In 2025, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are the ones chasing their first Formula 1 titles, with both McLaren drivers locked in an intense internal rivalry. Their fight has been further complicated by Max Verstappen, who has been cutting into their lead with strong performances.
Many fans and analysts have drawn parallels between the two seasons, noting how Alonso and Hamilton’s own battle in 2007 echoes the dynamic between Norris and Piastri today. Both eras feature teammates pushing each other while facing pressure from an outside challenger.
Back in 2007, the McLaren pair ultimately saw their title hopes slip away in the final rounds, allowing Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen to snatch the championship. This storyline has resurfaced as people compare it to the current situation.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has leaned into the nostalgia, remarking that he’d prefer the drama of a 2007-style fight rather than favouring one driver. As the season nears its end, the team seems content to let Norris and Piastri battle it out on equal terms.
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