Piastri Concedes: Norris Did Better — But He’s No “Superman”
After the season-finale at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris sealed the Drivers’ Championship, Piastri — his teammate at McLaren — acknowledged that Norris deserved the title. But he was quick to add that even though Norris had a standout year, that doesn’t make him some invincible figure. In Piastri’s own words, Norris did a great job this season — but “he’s still Lando Norris — it’s not like he’s become Superman.”
With respect and sportsmanship, Piastri recognized Norris as “a very deserving winner.” He admitted that over the last few years — especially this season — both drivers pushed each other hard on track, contributing to McLaren’s upward trajectory.
Though Piastri came into the finale hoping to contest the title, he accepted the result gracefully. He said that Norris had a strong campaign and earned the championship rightfully.
What Happened in Abu Dhabi — and Piastri’s Role
At Yas Marina, Piastri got off to a strong start: he overtook Norris around the outside of Turn 9 on lap one to slot into second place. That early move gave McLaren a favorable one-two formation, but in the end, victory went to Max Verstappen, who dominated the race. Piastri’s pace wasn’t enough to keep up, but his race still factored into how the title panned out.
Importantly, Piastri’s role had more strategic significance than just finishing position. His tyre choices — running hard-compound tyres — put pressure on Red Bull (Verstappen’s team), constraining their tyre-based options. That limited aggressiveness and played a part in McLaren’s broader strategy, indirectly benefiting Norris.
Heading into the final round, Piastri knew he was a long shot for the title; but by playing his part and supporting the team’s overall goal — even if it meant not maximizing his own chances — he demonstrated sportsmanship and commitment.
Rivalry, Respect, and the McLaren Dynamic
Throughout 2025, Piastri and Norris have been locked in a tight but — by and large — respectful rivalry. Piastri admitted that being teammates and title contenders at the same time places “a lot of pressure” on both drivers — but he said that, despite moments of tension, the intensity of competition often brought out the best in both.
Given how close their performance was this season, there was always speculation that the team might ask one driver to yield to help the other — especially in the title-deciding final race. But Piastri said that while there had been a brief discussion, he gave a firm “no” to the idea of supporting Norris by sacrificing his own chances. He felt they both deserved equal opportunity: “I’m still on equal footing with Max,” he explained, referring to their rival at Red Bull.
Even after losing out on the championship, Piastri stressed that things between him and Norris remain fair and level: that Norris’s success doesn’t make him a “Superman.” He expects the treatment and opportunities within McLaren to remain balanced going forward.
In his remarks to media, Piastri thanked Norris for a great season but also made it clear he’s still hungry: he believes he has what it takes to fight for the title again and expects a fair shot.
How the Season Tilted — Where Piastri Fell Short
Earlier in the season, Piastri had held a strong lead: after the Dutch Grand Prix in August, he was 34 points ahead in the standings.
However, a series of events shifted momentum. A swap of positions in one race (after a pit-stop delay for Norris) was followed by a rough weekend in Azerbaijan. Then, Piastri’s performance dipped in the U.S. and Mexico GPs — races where Norris began to climb back up. Meanwhile, Verstappen remained a constant threat, edging ever closer.
In a later interview, Piastri admitted that just being perfect — qualifying well or doing individual good jobs — was no longer enough to win a championship this season. The shifting pace, changing car behaviour, and narrow margins meant he needed more than perfection; he needed consistency and perhaps a bit of luck.
Given all that, even though there were flashes of strong pace and confidence that he could still compete, Piastri acknowledged that some weekends simply didn’t go his way. He pointed to tyre issues, car setup changes, and even an unfortunate sprint-race crash as events that dented his momentum.
What This Means for the Future — Piastri’s Perspective
Despite finishing runner-up in the championship, Piastri remains optimistic. He believes that the “real Oscar hasn’t disappeared,” even if recent races haven’t reflected his best.
He wants — and expects — fairness going forward, and doesn’t think Norris’s title win should change the dynamics within McLaren. Having declared that Norris is no “Superman,” Piastri made it clear that he doesn’t want extra pressure or expectation placed on him — just a level playing field, every time he gets into the car.
Despite some slip-ups late in the season, Piastri said there were still strong moments, when he felt comfortable and confident in the car. The challenge, he admits, is to bring that pace to every weekend, consistently.
He recognizes that competing for championships isn’t just about being fastest here and there — it’s about adapting, improving, and staying mentally strong through setbacks. And that’s the mindset he plans to carry into 2026 and beyond.
Why This Matters — Beyond Just One Driver
What Piastri’s comments reveal is more than just personal humility — they highlight a broader approach that champions fair competition, respect between teammates, and mental resilience. In an era where title rivalries often lead to tension, controversies, or even fractures within teams, Piastri’s approach stands out as mature: he competes, but doesn’t compromise integrity or sportsmanship.
His words also remind fans that becoming a champion isn’t about being superhuman — it’s about doing the job, race after race, sometimes under pressure, sometimes managing setbacks, but always giving your best. That humility and perspective can make him a strong contender for future seasons — because in sports like F1, character and consistency often matter as much as raw talent.
Finally, by publicly affirming that he expects fairness and equal treatment going forward — even after losing the title — Piastri helps reinforce that healthy competition within a team can coexist with respect and cooperation. For a team like McLaren, that stability and unity may be just as important as driver results.
