McLaren may have built one of the most formidable driver pairings on the Formula 1 grid, but according to Juan Pablo Montoya, they might also have created a ticking time bomb. As Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri gear up for the most competitive season of their careers, Montoya predicts that the harmony between the two could turn into a bitter rivalry—especially if McLaren lets them go head-to-head for the championship.
Last season, Piastri played the role of a loyal teammate, often running in support of Norris. But 2025 could be a whole different story. With McLaren expected to be a title contender, both drivers have made it clear that they’re not willing to settle for second-best. And Montoya believes that by the time the championship fight intensifies, things could get ugly.
Montoya’s Warning: “It Could Get Ugly”
Montoya, a veteran of Formula 1 warfare, knows what happens when teammates turn into rivals. Reflecting on the McLaren dynamic, he pointed out that while Norris and Piastri have so far maintained mutual respect, the gloves could come off if they’re both in the title hunt.
“I think it could get ugly at the end of the year if they have a big advantage in points and they let them race for the championship,” Montoya warned. “Otherwise, I think they’d be pretty even. McLaren has probably done the best job of keeping both drivers happy.”
McLaren has been walking a fine line in balancing their two rising stars, using the so-called “Papaya Rules” to ensure order within the team. But Montoya suggested that once the championship is on the line, keeping the peace might be easier said than done.
McLaren’s Dilemma: Who Will Be No. 1?
Heading into 2025, both Norris and Piastri believe they can fight for the title. Norris has made it clear that he wants to break into the elite ranks of F1 and challenge Max Verstappen, while Piastri—one of the most talented rookies in recent history—has no intention of being a second driver.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, has remained tight-lipped about any internal pecking order. But Montoya thinks McLaren will be lenient with team orders, at least early in the season.
“Initially, they’re going to be pretty relaxed about it,” Montoya said. “I think McLaren are going to be very clear that whoever’s ahead, they’re going to have to be a little more respectful.”
That might sound simple in theory, but in reality, respect goes out the window when a world title is at stake. Just ask Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who turned Mercedes into a warzone during their legendary battles in 2016.
Is This McLaren’s Rosberg vs. Hamilton Moment?
The parallels to past intra-team rivalries are impossible to ignore. When two equally matched drivers are given free rein, history shows that things often spiral out of control. McLaren has experienced this before, most infamously in 2007, when Fernando Alonso and a young Lewis Hamilton ripped the team apart in their battle for supremacy.
McLaren is desperate to return to the top of Formula 1, but if their two drivers start taking points off each other—while Verstappen and Ferrari keep a united front—it could cost them the championship.
The Fans’ Dream, McLaren’s Nightmare
For F1 fans, a Norris vs. Piastri rivalry would be box-office gold. Two young, hungry drivers battling for wins in the most exciting McLaren since the Hamilton-Button era would make for an unforgettable season.
But for McLaren’s leadership, this could quickly become a nightmare. If the fight turns toxic, it could derail what should be McLaren’s best title shot in over a decade.
The big question remains: How long can McLaren keep them in check before chaos erupts?
If Montoya’s prediction is correct, we won’t have to wait long to find out.
