McLaren delivered crucial target in title defence pursuit

Oscar Piastri has given McLaren the target to be stronger from the get-go this season, to ensure no rival builds an early advantage. 

McLaren was slow out of the blocks last year compared to Red Bull and Ferrari, who built an early points gap over the Woking-based team. 

Whilst the British outfit fought back and sealed a first constructors' title since 1998, both Lando Norris and Piastri fell short of the drivers' crown. 

Piastri finished 2024 in fourth, with Norris in second but still 63 points adrift of Verstappen. 

The four-time world champion started last season very strongly, building a comfortable advantage in the opening rounds which he maintained for the entire campaign. 

It is for this reason that Piastri has identified that McLaren must start strong, to ensure the Dutchman cannot escape to another title.

"I think, as a team, being quick enough from the first race of the year is a big, big thing," Piastri told select media including RacingNews365, speaking in Qatar.

"Obviously, Max got a very large lead from the beginning of the season. Yes, he's kept it and I think probably extended it a little bit since then, which is very impressive, given that there's not been many weekends where he's had the quickest car, not many at all. 

"So I think the competition is going to be incredibly tough, no matter who it's from. But as a team, I think starting on the right foot is the big thing. 

"For myself, personally, like I said before, just putting all the tools together and being able to use them consistently and starting in the right spot, literally from last weekend. Putting myself in a good position in qualifying is probably the big thing.