Oscar Piastri has indicated that his and Lando Norris’ desire to be in Formula 1 title contention with McLaren past 2025 will help to avoid tension soaring this season.
McLaren’s crushing dominance at last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix has consolidated the widespread inkling that the championship will be between the team’s drivers.
Piastri headed his team-mate to claim his third successive win during a race which saw the closest non-McLaren, George Russell’s Mercedes, trail 37 seconds behind.
That result extended Piastri’s lead over Norris in the standings to 16 points with six races completed, with reigning champion Max Verstappen another 16 points back.
Piastri, who has partnered Norris since 2023, has recognised that one advantage to an intra-team title duel is that his direct rival is guaranteed to be a known quantity.
However, the Australian pinpointed how Norris having access to the same tools, combined with McLaren’s stance on equal opportunities, limits his scope to beat him.
Asked whether it is tougher competing with a team-mate for the championship, Piastri told media including Motorsport Week: “In some ways, yes. In some ways, no.
“We know pretty much exactly how one another drives. We know our strong points, maybe some of our weaker points.
“So from that side you have more information, but it goes both ways. We both know we’ve got the same car, so that removes one factor.
“But there are other complications with having the same car. You can have the same strengths and weaknesses on track.
“With how difficult it is to follow cars, nine times out of 10, whoever’s in front at the start is probably going to be in front at the end. So it’s difficult like that.
“Then there’s the pit strategies and whatever that become a factor when you’re in the same team. There are positives and negatives.”
McLaren aiming to maintain cordial relationship
But while relations between the duo have remained cordial to this point, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has admitted that a clash is inevitable as the competition escalates.
With both drivers on long-term deals, though, Piastri has suggested there is a shared eagerness to ensure incidents don’t deal irreparable damage to their partnership.
“We clearly know that we have our strengths,” he reiterated. “It’s always been close between us. It’s going to be a good battle.
“There will be weekends where Lando is stronger, and weekends where I am stronger.
“We’re very aware of the fact that we want this success for as long as we’re at McLaren, which is a very long time for both of us.
“We’re aware there’s going to be a fight. We both want to become World Champion, obviously.
“But we don’t just want one opportunity at this success.
“We want it for the next however many years, and that’s an important and an easy thing to keep in mind for us and the whole team.”
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