Lando Norris expects Oscar Piastri to 'make my life hell' in title defense

Defending champion Lando Norris enters the new Formula 1 season acknowledging that his toughest challenge will likely come from within his own McLaren team, as he expects teammate Oscar Piastri to 'make my life hell' in their renewed title fight. Norris revealed his motivation stems not from the success itself, but from the people around him, as he prepares to defend his hard-won 2025 drivers' championship.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between the two McLaren drivers is a central narrative for the upcoming season, setting the stage for one of the most compelling intra-team battles on the grid. After a year where they were each other's primary rivals for long stretches, their continued competition could define McLaren's ability to secure both championships again or create internal tension that rivals might exploit.

The Details:

• Norris enters the 2026 season as the reigning world champion, having narrowly clinched the title in Abu Dhabi last December after a season-long fight that initially featured Piastri as his main challenger before Max Verstappen emerged late.
• When asked about his relationship with Piastri heading into the new campaign, Norris stated, "No, it's the same." He expects his teammate to respond "by not talking too much and getting on with it."
• Norris openly praised Piastri's ability, saying, "Everyone knows what he can do. He'll show exactly what he did last year that he can be an incredible driver and be a world champion." This acknowledgment comes with the expectation of fierce competition: "I expect him to make my life hell."
• On his personal drive, Norris provided insight into a nuanced motivation. While he loves to win, he clarified that "my motivation is not solely success." He explained that his primary drive comes from his team, stating, "They're the people that I want to do well for. So as long as I have them, then nothing changes for me."
• Despite McLaren's positive pre-season and its double championship success in 2025, the team has asserted it does not consider itself the outright favorite coming out of testing in Bahrain, managing expectations for the season opener.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the McLaren garage as the season begins, watching to see if the respectful but intense rivalry between Norris and Piastri elevates the team or becomes a distraction. Norris's unique perspective on motivation will be tested under the pressure of a title defense, while Piastri has a clear mission to dethrone his teammate and claim his first championship. Their battle could be the key to McLaren's constructor championship hopes or its greatest vulnerability.