McLaren star reveals Hamilton rivalry prompts relati…read more
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has shared an update on his relationship with teammate Lando Norris, reflecting on the dynamics between them after the team’s successful 2024 season. Both Piastri and Norris secured their first Formula 1 victories this year, and together, they helped McLaren win its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. This victory capped an incredible turnaround for the team, which had started the 2023 season as one of the slowest on the grid. Although McLaren’s performance was still behind Red Bull’s at the start of 2024, a combination of impressive teamwork between the drivers and significant car updates made the title win possible. Despite Norris not being able to challenge Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship, the pair’s collaboration played a key role in McLaren’s success.
However, not everything was smooth sailing for McLaren. Piastri admitted that there were moments during the season where tensions between the two drivers could have threatened their chances. One of these moments occurred during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Norris was instructed to let Piastri pass for the lead of the race. The decision followed a series of emotional radio messages from Norris’ engineer, urging him to comply with the team orders. Piastri was also asked to support Norris at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he relinquished his sprint race win to help Norris in his championship pursuit.
Reflecting on the season, Piastri spoke candidly about the complexities of teammate relationships in Formula 1, especially when fighting for top positions. He noted that the intense competition between teammates often makes it difficult to maintain genuine friendships. Piastri pointed to the famous rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as a prime example, saying, “We’ve seen how things can change when you’re fighting for first and second.” He acknowledged that while teammates are often trying to beat each other, this can make it challenging to develop close personal relationships.
Despite these challenges, Piastri emphasized the importance of working together within the team, especially when both drivers are capable of winning races. As the McLaren duo continues to prove their worth on the track, their ability to manage their rivalry will be key to the team’s ongoing success.
