AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

McLaren’s Civil War: Can Norris Hold Off Piastri and Verstappen in 2025?

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 24, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Johnny Herbert Predicts Piastri’s Rise to McLaren’s Top Seat in 2025

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 2, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris after winning the sprint race along with second place McLaren's Oscar Piastri REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

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?

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Denny Hamlin’s Explosive Iowa Speedway Rant Exposes NASCAR’s Darkest Track Secrets
Motorsports

Denny Hamlin’s Explosive Iowa Speedway Rant Exposes NASCAR’s Darkest Track Secrets

A NASCAR race at Iowa Speedway has turned into a chaotic nightmare, with drivers struggling on the narrow, aging track...

by Miguel Cunha
August 5, 2025
Cadillac Secures Valtteri Bottas for 2026 F1 Season – Dramatic Driver Deal Unveiled
Motorsports

Cadillac Secures Valtteri Bottas for 2026 F1 Season – Dramatic Driver Deal Unveiled

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 26, 2025 Mercedes reserve driver...

by James Taylor
August 5, 2025
Kelly Piquet’s Mysterious Social Media Silence Unveiled – Shocking Reasons Revealed Now
Motorsports

Kelly Piquet’s Mysterious Social Media Silence Unveiled – Shocking Reasons Revealed Now

F1 Sensation Kelly Piquet Breaks Her Silence: Shocking Revelations Behind Social Media Hiatus The racing world is abuzz as Kelly...

by Redação
August 5, 2025
Billionaire F1 Power Play: Tycoon Guilty in Corruption Scandal – Shocking Details Revealed
Motorsports

Billionaire F1 Power Play: Tycoon Guilty in Corruption Scandal – Shocking Details Revealed

Singapore F1 Mogul's Shocking Guilty Plea Unveils Corruption Scandal Unfolding In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Singapore's renowned billionaire hotelier,...

by Simon Monroy
August 5, 2025

Recent News

Volkswagen desenvolve nova plataforma para veículos elétricos mais acessíveis

“VW will end the ID series and return to the old nomenclature.”

August 5, 2025
Mercedes-Benz Classe G: Já lá vão 600 mil unidades produzidas

Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 600,000 units produced so far.

August 5, 2025
Tesla lança serviço de robotáxi em Austin

Elon Musk and Tesla are facing a lawsuit from shareholders over the robotaxi.

August 5, 2025
 Primeiro veículo elétrico da Hyundai na China será lançado em setembro

The first electric vehicle from Hyundai in China will be launched in September.

August 5, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks