Lando Norris Has an Oscar Piastri Problem: How McLaren’s Bright Future Is Testing Their Star Driver
Lando Norris, once seen as the uncontested leader of McLaren’s Formula 1 team, now faces a serious challenge from within. Oscar Piastri, the young Australian sensation, is not only matching Norris but, in some cases, outperforming him. A moment during McLaren’s resurgence last season hinted that this situation was inevitable, and in 2025, it has fully arrived.
The Moment That Warned Us: Hungarian Grand Prix 2024
A key turning point came at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris started from pole but lost the lead to Piastri at the first corner. While pit stop strategy eventually put Norris back in front, McLaren made a controversial call: they ordered Norris to return the lead to Piastri.
Norris resisted the order for 17 laps before finally letting Piastri through — and Piastri went on to claim his first-ever Formula 1 victory. That moment quietly revealed a shift: Piastri was no longer a rookie following orders. He was becoming a driver McLaren would be willing to back — even over their star man.
Piastri’s Meteoric Rise
Fast forward to 2025, and Oscar Piastri’s progression has been even more explosive. The Australian has already secured multiple race wins — in Bahrain, China, and Saudi Arabia — and currently leads the Drivers’ Championship. His calm under pressure, minimal mistakes, and impressive qualifying performances have shocked the paddock.
At just 23 years old, Piastri has gone from a promising prospect to a genuine title contender, arguably quicker to reach this level than Norris did in his first years.
Norris’s Struggles With the New Car
Meanwhile, Norris has admitted that the 2025 McLaren car doesn’t naturally suit his driving style. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he’s lacked the consistency he had in previous seasons.
He recently confessed that he hasn’t been “as on it” as before, struggling with rear instability and braking performance. In contrast, Piastri seems to thrive with the car’s characteristics, further increasing the performance gap between them.
This situation has created a worrying dynamic for Norris: not only is he battling the likes of Verstappen and Leclerc on track, but he’s also now fighting to retain his status as McLaren’s top driver.
McLaren’s Management Strategy
McLaren leadership has so far taken a hands-off approach, promoting healthy competition between the two drivers. But insiders reveal that the team has established unofficial guidelines — often referred to as the “Papaya Rules” — to prevent clashes and maintain team order when needed.
However, the challenge for McLaren is delicate: they must nurture Piastri’s rapid growth without alienating Norris, who remains one of the most marketable and talented drivers in F1.
The Road Ahead
If McLaren is to return to championship glory, managing this driver rivalry will be crucial.
For Norris, adapting quickly, finding more pace, and reminding McLaren of his elite capabilities are non-negotiable.
For Piastri, the challenge is to maintain his momentum without becoming entangled in internal politics.
What once looked like a simple driver hierarchy at McLaren has become a brewing storm. Norris does indeed have a Piastri problem — and how he responds to it could define his future, not just at McLaren, but in Formula 1 overall.