Former team boss Günther Steiner urges McLaren to designate a ‘lead driver’ for 2025. If the ‘papayas’ aim to win the drivers’ championship in the new season, a clear distinction should be made between the title contender and his deputy. This year, the role distribution caused too much ambiguity within the team.
Given that the regulations in 2025 will change little compared to the past season, experts expect McLaren to once again have a competitive car. This could allow Lando Norris to make another bid for the drivers’ title. According to Günther Steiner, McLaren must then make clear agreements with both drivers. Oscar Piastri, who at times was at least as good as his British teammate, should no longer take points away from Norris.
‘Otherwise, they will lose again’
“Next year will certainly not be easy for him (Norris) with Oscar Piastri as a teammate,” Steiner told the YouTube channel Champ1. “Moreover, I think McLaren will not designate a lead driver at the start of the season. They will certainly have to do that later in the season. I believe they will get the chance to fight for the drivers’ title again in 2025. If they have not given either of them number one status by then, they will lose the championship again.”
Lando Norris lost the drivers’ title to Max Verstappen this season. Despite the competitive MCL38, he could not beat the Dutchman. Throughout the season, there was much discussion about the role distribution within McLaren. For instance, Norris voluntarily let his teammate pass during the Hungarian GP – according to the so-called papaya rules, Piastri had the right to win. The incident cost Norris seven championship points.
