Last season, McLaren shattered a decades-long curse by clinching their first Constructors’ Championship of the century. But beneath the champagne-soaked celebrations, cracks emerged. Critics argue that “Papaya Rules” — McLaren’s controversial team strategies — undermined Lando Norris’s shot at dethroning Max Verstappen, leaving the young Brit without the support he desperately needed.
Now, with the high-powered MCL39 ready to hit the grid, McLaren’s sights are set not only on defending their Constructors’ title but also on delivering their first Drivers’ Championship since 2008. Yet, the biggest threat to Norris’s crown may not come from Verstappen alone — it might be sitting in the other papaya-colored car, driven by the fearless Oscar Piastri.
Piastri’s quiet storm
Oscar Piastri, the rookie sensation from last season, isn’t content with being a supporting act. Armed with the steely determination nurtured by his manager and former F1 star Mark Webber, Piastri is positioning himself as a formidable challenger to Norris’s leadership at McLaren.
Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver turned pundit, sees Piastri as a wildcard in this year’s championship battle. “Oscar Piastri is the interesting one just because of his character,” Herbert explained. “He seems to have that edge, that mentality of ‘I don’t give a damn, I will do what I need to win.’”
Herbert highlighted Webber’s influence in Piastri’s mindset. “Mark knows what it’s like to be in a team with a strong teammate like Vettel. He’s teaching Piastri the kind of arrogance and toughness you need to ruffle feathers and force the team to back you.”
Norris: The battle-hardened warrior
Norris is no stranger to internal battles, having successfully outperformed Daniel Ricciardo when many expected the Australian to lead McLaren. However, this year presents a different kind of challenge. Not only must Norris fend off Verstappen’s on-track dominance, but he must also assert his authority over a rising Piastri in his own garage.
“Lando finished last season incredibly strong,” Herbert remarked. “His racecraft and qualifying were top-tier. But this year, it’s a double mental battle. Verstappen has this way of getting into people’s heads. Lando needs to be just as mentally tough, not by copying Max, but by finding his own way to stay resilient.”
Adding to the complexity, the 2025 rule changes — removing apex and exit corner allowances — could play into Verstappen’s hands, making the battle for supremacy even tougher.
McLaren’s balancing act
The Norris-Piastri rivalry is a powder keg waiting to explode, and McLaren team bosses Zak Brown and Andrea Stella face a delicate task in managing their drivers without derailing their championship bid. Herbert believes McLaren should resist the urge to pick sides too early, instead allowing the competition to play out naturally.
“At the start of the season, McLaren shouldn’t dictate results,” Herbert advised. “Let them fight it out in races like Australia and China. If you force favoritism too soon, it could create unnecessary friction.”
Herbert drew parallels to his own experiences with Michael Schumacher, emphasizing the importance of mental dominance. “Schumacher made sure he was the alpha even before the season began. That’s what Max does. It’s what both Norris and Piastri need to master if they want to lead the team and win the title.”
Can McLaren thrive under pressure?
With one of the strongest cars on the grid, McLaren has everything it needs to challenge for both titles. But can the team manage the combustible mix of Norris’s experience, Piastri’s ambition, and Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of domination?
Norris, now a proven contender, has a point to prove: that he’s not just McLaren’s golden boy but a future world champion. Meanwhile, Piastri, bolstered by Webber’s guidance, is eager to stake his claim as the team’s next superstar.
As McLaren prepares to unleash the MCL39, the stakes have never been higher. Will Norris fend off his teammate and Verstappen to finally seize the crown? Or will Piastri’s rise disrupt McLaren’s hopes of dominance?
