Oscar Piastri issues Lando Norris relationship update after tense D…read more
Oscar Piastri has spoken openly about where things stand between himself and McLaren team-mate and reigning world champion Lando Norris following their intense Formula 1 title showdown last season. After months of close on-track battles and growing pressure inside the McLaren garage, Piastri has made it clear that their working relationship remains positive as they head toward the new 2026 campaign.
The McLaren duo were at the center of the 2025 championship fight, going head-to-head across much of the year, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen joining the contest in the latter stages. Piastri enjoyed a highly competitive season, securing seven grand prix victories and holding the lead in the drivers’ standings from April through October. However, a difficult late-season stretch proved costly. A run of six consecutive races without a podium finish between September and November allowed momentum to swing away from him. Norris capitalized on that opening and ultimately claimed his first world championship, finishing 13 points ahead of his Australian team-mate.
Throughout the season, McLaren management aimed to maintain fairness between their drivers, giving both equal chances to fight for wins and the title. That approach drew some criticism from observers who believed the team should have backed one driver more decisively at key moments. Even so, the strategy helped prevent serious fallout between Norris and Piastri and preserved a cooperative atmosphere within the team.
Speaking about their rivalry and partnership, Piastri emphasized that the competition has actually strengthened both drivers. He explained that while team-mates battling each other can sometimes create difficult moments, the overall effect has been beneficial. According to him, going wheel-to-wheel with someone operating at such a high level pushes both drivers to improve continuously. He noted that sharing data, techniques, and feedback over three seasons together has created a valuable learning environment on both sides of the garage.
Piastri said he believes they have each grown as racers by studying one another’s strengths and approaches. Having a closely matched team-mate, he suggested, provides constant reference points that are hard to replicate elsewhere. With major technical regulation changes arriving in 2026, that collaboration could become even more important, as teams and drivers work to understand completely new car characteristics. He stressed that developing a new package is far easier when both drivers actively contribute insights rather than working in isolation.
Looking ahead, Piastri confirmed that his relationship with Norris remains solid. He described their working dynamic as healthy and productive, with both still focused on shared goals for the team. Despite the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the championship, he indicated there is mutual respect and a continued willingness to cooperate for McLaren’s benefit.
The big question now is whether McLaren can remain at the front under Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulation overhaul. The team has been highly successful recently, securing back-to-back constructors’ championships and locking up last year’s title early. However, rule changes often reset the competitive order, and rival teams are expected to close the gap. Mercedes, in particular, is widely rumored to be in a strong position with the new regulations, which could reshape the grid.
McLaren may gain some advantage from continuing with Mercedes power units, potentially helping them stay competitive against works teams like Mercedes and Ferrari. Even so, nothing is guaranteed in a regulation reset, and early development performance will be crucial. Both Norris and Piastri are expected to play central roles in pushing development forward and extracting maximum performance from the new car.
The 2026 Formula 1 season is scheduled to begin in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix. The opening race is set for March 8, with pre-season testing taking place in Bahrain across two sessions in February. If McLaren delivers another strong package, fans could see another internal title fight — this time with an already proven champion in Norris and a determined challenger in Piastri seeking redemption.
