The data that shows the F1 title battle is becoming a two-driver race

Max Verstappen once again produced the goods over one lap in Miami as the Dutchman snatched pole position from McLaren in another tightly contested affair.

However, it was all McLaren on race day as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris made an example of the competition, finishing a staggering 30 seconds ahead of third-placed George Russell.

While the Woking-based was able to benefit somewhat from the timing of the virtual safety car during the pit stop phase of the race, there was no doubt it held the upper hand over a grand prix distance.

Verstappen did all he could to keep the McLaren pair behind but his aggressive defence was not enough to hold them back.

In the early phase of the race, Verstappen was able to keep Piastri in check but as the grand prix developed and tyre began to wear to have an effect, McLaren was able to flex its muscles.

The moment Piastri got ahead of Verstappen, the Australian was able to use the clean air to build a margin over his rival behind. The four-time world champion then found himself in a fight with Norris, which did not help his gap to Piastri either.

Sensationally, there were periods during the race when McLaren was one second per lap faster at certain points. 

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Tyre wear

In the final year of the current technical regulation cycle, development gains have been increasingly difficult to come by.

The field spread has narrowed significantly, creating extraordinarily small gaps in qualifying. The biggest difference McLaren has been able to make in the race is how it can look after their tyres compared to the rest of the competition.

It was a trait that helped it throughout the 2024 campaign, but it has carried over to the new season and aided its run to five victories in the opening six races.

It looked after the opening handful of events that Red Bull and McLaren were the two teams in the mix for the title - but is the former now in danger of dropping out of the fight?

We are soon approaching the stage where great consideration will be needed over the development choices for the rest of the year ahead of a major regulation overhaul in 2026.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko stated the next upgrade for the team is of vital importance in the championship fight but acknowledged “such a big step is difficult to catch up”.

Even McLaren team principal Andrea Stella admitted surprise over how big its advantage over the competition was in Miami.

If Red Bull is unable to find an answer soon, it could find itself reaching a painful conclusion over its title prospects for the year ahead