As the 2024 Formula 1 season nears its conclusion, the dynamics within McLaren could see a seismic shift. Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes that Oscar Piastri is poised to challenge Lando Norris for the coveted number-one driver status at the Woking-based team, starting as early as the final races of this year.
McLaren’s Equal Footing Policy: A Thing of the Past?
McLaren began the season with a clear message to its drivers: both Norris and Piastri would race on equal terms under the “papaya rules.” But as Lando Norris emerged as a legitimate title contender, the team abandoned that approach, using team orders to bolster Norris’ campaign. Most recently, Piastri was asked to relinquish his position to Norris during the Sprint Race in Brazil.
With Norris now 62 points adrift of championship leader Max Verstappen, the title seems all but lost. Johnny Herbert predicts this shift in focus will open the door for Piastri to assert himself.
“If we go to Abu Dhabi and the championship is done and it is not possible for Lando to win, that will already have changed,” Herbert told Vision4Sport. “That will be letting Oscar be allowed to go out there and win the race if he can. The whole dynamic will swap over very quickly this year and will continue into 2025.”
Piastri’s Quiet Rise
In his rookie season, Oscar Piastri has already made waves, securing two Grand Prix wins and seven podiums. His calm demeanor and razor-sharp driving skills have made him a formidable opponent for Norris. Despite team orders favoring his teammate, Piastri has shown he can match—and even outperform—Norris under equal conditions.
Herbert believes Piastri is set to challenge Norris more aggressively in 2025, further complicating McLaren’s internal hierarchy.
“Oscar will be very difficult to beat, but Lando has upped his game when he has had to and has been the man who has effectively led the team to be where it is at the moment,” Herbert remarked.
Red Bull’s Reign Ends, Opening Doors for 2025
The 2024 season has seen the end of Red Bull’s dominance, with Max Verstappen experiencing a rare 10-race winless streak before his victory in Brazil. McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have all claimed wins, creating one of the most competitive seasons since the iconic Verstappen-Hamilton duel of 2021.
With seven different race winners so far, the door is wide open for a thrilling 2025 season. Herbert is optimistic about the title fight next year:
“It’s going to be one helluva fight the whole year between four teams. People need to be there to see the start of the season next year,” he said.
Norris’ Slim Title Hopes
While the future at McLaren looks bright, Norris is still clinging to a sliver of hope in the 2024 championship battle. To keep his title dreams alive heading into Las Vegas, he must outscore Verstappen by at least three points—a tall order given the Dutchman’s resurgence and McLaren’s struggles in last year’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
What’s Next for McLaren?
With Piastri’s star on the rise and Norris continuing to lead McLaren’s charge, the team faces an exciting but challenging future. The intra-team rivalry, coupled with heightened competition from Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, promises a spectacle for fans and a complex strategic landscape for McLaren’s leadership.
As Herbert suggests, 2025 may be the year the “whole dynamic” changes, with Oscar Piastri emerging as a true equal—or perhaps even the leader—within the McLaren garage. But for now, all eyes are on Las Vegas, where the battle for 2024 supremacy could come to a dramatic head.
