For now, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have the best car on the grid. The two McLaren drivers face the most competition from each other – on paper, excluding the incredible performances of Max Verstappen. If 2025 brings about an internal title fight – à la Hamilton and Rosberg – McLaren CEO Zak Brown has plans ready for when Norris and Piastri clash. After all, it’s inevitable.
The McLaren team can count themselves lucky – the constructors’ champion is currently heading for new titles. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are leading the championship after five Grands Prix, with the Australian holding a ten-point lead over his British rival. Max Verstappen is in third place.
‘Becoming a Non-Event’
“It’s good for the team to aim for first and second place,” Brown told Channel 4. “But it’s up to the drivers to decide who crosses the finish line first and who comes second. They are allowed to race. We haven’t seen that epic battle this year, but I think it’s only a matter of time.” Brown expects a fair fight between Norris and Piastri. “They will compete fiercely, but fairly. However, the question remains ‘when’ something will happen, not ‘if’.”
“But that’s okay, they both race hard – they are strong competitors after all,” Brown assured. “We’ve already discussed it within the team. All those people hoping for fireworks? It’s going to be a non-event,” the American grinned. “We will discuss it and learn from it. You simply can’t have two drivers like ours without expecting some tension now and then.” Last year, McLaren came under fire for their driver policy. Instead of appointing a lead driver to challenge Max Verstappen, the papayas were nibbling away at points.
