Piastri: McLaren Did a « Very Good Job » Managing High-Stakes Norris Rivalry
As the Formula 1 paddock sets up for a title-deciding showdown in Las Vegas, the spotlight is burning brightest on the papaya-clad garage of McLaren. Having already secured the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, the team now faces the « luxury problem » of managing an internal war for the Drivers’ crown between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The 2025 season has seen intense, wheel-to-wheel battles between the two teammates, leading to significant external criticism over McLaren’s strategy and their willingness to let their drivers fight.
However, speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri—who trails Norris by just 24 points—has emphatically defended his team. The Australian stated that McLaren has done a « very good job » in handling the pressure-cooker situation fairly.
📈 A Season of High-Stakes and « Criticism »
With McLaren dominating the season, the Norris-Piastri rivalry has been the central story. This has inevitably drawn comparisons to other great, explosive teammate battles in F1 history, such as Senna-Prost or Hamilton-Rosberg.
Critics have scrutinized every strategic decision, radio message, and on-track incident. Flashpoints at Silverstone, where the two nearly collided, and a tense strategy split during the Japanese Grand Prix fueled speculation that the team was favouring one driver or, worse, losing control of the situation.
This « criticism » has largely focused on whether McLaren’s management, led by Team Principal Andrea Stella, could maintain a fair fight without costing the team results or allowing the relationship to turn toxic.
🛡️ Piastri’s Defence: « Very Good Job » and « Fair Treatment »
Piastri, however, refuted this narrative. He praised the team’s transparency and their efforts to provide both drivers with an equal opportunity to win the championship.
« From the outside, I’m sure it’s looked very tense, and people have been quick to criticize, » Piastri explained. « But honestly, internally, the team has done a very good job. It’s the most difficult scenario you can have as a team principal, having two drivers fighting for the championship. »
Piastri specifically highlighted the « fair treatment » as the key to managing the rivalry.
« Of course, we’ve pushed each other hard, and we’ve been on the limit, » Piastri continued. « But the guiding principle from the team has always been fairness. We both know what the rules of engagement are, and we both have the same opportunity. I don’t think we could ask for more than that. »
🎰 The Final Showdown
Piastri’s comments are timely, serving to de-escalate tensions ahead of the final three rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. While Norris holds the advantage (390 points to 366), Piastri has proven his pace, and the battle is far from over.
By publicly backing his team’s management style, Piastri signals a unified front. It suggests that while both drivers are desperate to win their first world title, they trust the team to manage the fight cleanly.
This united front has been the secret to McLaren’s 2025 dominance. While Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes have faltered, McLaren’s ability to manage the fastest driver pairing on the grid—without imploding—has been their greatest strength.
Sources
- Sky Sports F1 (2025). Piastri defends McLaren management: ‘They’ve done a very good job’.
- Motorsport.com (2025). Piastri insists Norris rivalry is managed ‘fairly’ despite criticism.
- The Race (2025). Why Piastri’s defence of McLaren is crucial for the title run-in.
- Viaplay (2025). Norris vs Piastri: The title fight dividing a team.
- McLaren Racing (2025). Las Vegas GP Preview: Team Notes.