Oscar Piastri has admitted he is expecting McLaren to provide him and Lando Norris with the “same car” at every round as the two contest the Formula 1 title in 2025.
Piastri’s emergence as the stand-alone repeat race winner this season last weekend in Bahrain has seen him diminish the gap to his team-mate Norris to three points.
With McLaren boasting a pronounced advantage over the opposition, the Drivers’ Championship has been regarded as a straight battle between the team’s driver duo.
That triggered McLaren boss Andrea Stella to be questioned on whether the side’s approach to implementing upgrades will change compared to previous campaigns.
The Woking-based squad has tended to show a willingness to accelerate developments to the circuit, even on the occasions where the parts are available for one car.
However, Stella has suggested McLaren won’t be able to adopt that process this season in order to ensure the team is providing both drivers with equal opportunities.
“It will depend on how we are doing from a performance point of view,” Stella told media including Motorsport Week.
“If the car keeps being such a strong car, then we might have to take a more considerate approach and make sure that we are not creating any imbalance in relation to the fairness with drivers.”
McLaren in a ‘very different situation’ in 2025
McLaren has been recognised as the pacesetting team ever since a considerable upgrade introduced at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix elevated Norris to his maiden win.
Piastri, who received the complete package one round later, has highlighted that McLaren is no longer in a position where it is in a rush to catch up to the competition.
“I think this year the situation is very, very different,” Piastri said prior to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“I think last year, especially at the beginning of the season, we were incredibly keen to get whatever performance we could onto the car as quickly as possible.
“And we needed to make up a points deficit in the Constructors’ Championship especially.”
The Australian has proclaimed that he is anticipating that he and Norris will be given identical equipment throughout the season as the championship duel intensifies.
“This year we’re in a very different position,” he continued.
“Obviously we have already a decent gap in the Constructors’ Championship and both of us fighting for the Drivers’ Championship.
“So I think it’s expected that we’ll both have an equal opportunity and the same car to be able to fight for the Drivers’ Championship/
“I think when we have the opportunity to keep it equal and have the same car every weekend we should do that.”
READ MORE – Lando Norris leads McLaren 1-2 in Friday night Saudi Arabian GP practice
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