The 2025 Formula 1 season is about to kick off, and McLaren finds itself in an enviable yet challenging position. After securing their first Constructors’ Championship in over a decade, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are preparing to renew their intra-team rivalry—this time with title aspirations in full force.
Piastri has made it clear: he believes he can challenge for the title. But according to Norris, nothing will change at McLaren—at least not at the start of the season.
McLaren’s Two-Headed Championship Push: A Strength or a Problem?
McLaren’s MCL38 emerged as the strongest car on the grid last year, helping the team edge out Ferrari in the final standings. But despite their superior machinery, neither Norris nor Piastri could halt Max Verstappen’s march to his fourth consecutive title.
While McLaren prioritized Norris in the final eight rounds of 2024, the Briton ultimately finished 82 points ahead of his teammate. But Piastri’s confidence has only grown—and 2025 presents a fresh opportunity to dethrone Red Bull.
“I know Oscar’s hungry for a championship. Every driver is. And for sure he’s capable of winning a championship,” Norris admitted.
Yet, despite the competitive fire within the team, Norris insists McLaren will continue operating as usual—at least until the championship battle dictates otherwise.
“Everyone knows that we want to beat each other, and you want to be the top dog in the team—that’s normal. But I don’t think it changes anything.”
But is that really the case?
The Budapest Flashpoint: Can Norris and Piastri Coexist?
Norris might claim that McLaren’s approach won’t change, but history tells a different story. Last season’s Hungarian Grand Prix was a clear flashpoint, where Norris initially refused to follow team orders, overshadowing Piastri’s maiden F1 victory.
The Briton now admits regret over that moment.
“There’s also responsibility on myself, on Oscar, on Andrea [Stella], on the teams around both of us as drivers, to handle these situations correctly.”
McLaren’s internal power struggle will likely come to a head once again if both drivers find themselves fighting for wins consistently. Norris hints at a potential tightening of team rules, acknowledging that racing wheel-to-wheel more often could increase tensions.
“In some cases, that will mean some slightly more rules, and tightening up on some things.”
Does that mean McLaren will be forced to pick a #1 driver?
Equal Footing—For Now
As it stands, Norris and Piastri will start the 2025 season on equal terms. But Norris is already laying the groundwork for McLaren to reassess that balance.
“There isn’t just a ‘this is what’s going to happen, that’s how it’s going to go.’ That’s the incorrect way of doing things,” he explained.
“But we’ve set a good standard last year… Up until Baku, there was no priority over one or the other.”
Yet Norris makes it clear—if one driver gains a clear edge, McLaren might revisit their strategy mid-season.
Will McLaren’s Internal Battle Help or Hurt Their Title Fight?
With Max Verstappen still the title favorite, McLaren must strike a delicate balance—allowing their two young stars to race freely while ensuring their battle doesn’t hand Red Bull an easy path to victory.
The dynamic between Norris and Piastri could define the 2025 season. If McLaren truly has the fastest car, internal tensions will become the biggest storyline of the year.
But if history has taught us anything, McLaren’s title bid won’t just be about beating Verstappen and Red Bull—it might be just as much about Norris vs. Piastri.
