Piastri: Norris 'Deserving' Champ, But Not 'Superman'

Oscar Piastri gracefully acknowledged Lando Norris' 2025 Drivers' Championship victory after finishing second to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi, with Norris securing the title by two points via third place. The McLaren teammate rivalry culminated in a strategic race where Piastri's hard-tire stint disrupted Red Bull's plans, though he ultimately couldn't challenge Verstappen's race control.

Why it matters:

This championship resolution underscores the intensifying reality of modern F1: teammates now regularly battle for titles in equal machinery. Piastri's public concession—while maintaining competitive fire—sets a template for how top teams manage intra-squad tensions, especially critical for McLaren's 2026 ambitions with both drivers under contract.

The details:

• Piastri seized second place early by overtaking Norris at Turn 9, but Verstappen's pace proved untouchable despite Red Bull's strategic constraints from Piastri's tire choice.
• The championship pendulum swung dramatically after Piastri held a 34-point lead post-August's Dutch GP, with Monza's controversial pit-stop swap and Azerbaijan's collapse triggering his late-season slump.
• Norris capitalized during Piastri's U.S. and Mexico struggles, ultimately overtaking both Verstappen and his teammate in the final standings (423-421-410 points).
• Teammate dynamic: Piastri emphasized their three-year rivalry reached "tighter than ever" levels this season, with both drivers experiencing "ups and downs" in identical machinery.

What's next:

Piastri's insistence that Norris "is still Lando Norris, it’s not like he’s become Superman" signals no expectation of preferential treatment in 2026. His demand for "full fairness and equality" from McLaren management suggests:

• Continued intra-team parity in resource allocation despite Norris' champion status
• Heightened scrutiny on McLaren's strategy calls during critical race moments
• Potential psychological edge for Norris in early 2026 races before Piastri resets mentally

The Australian's mature handling of defeat—coupled with his refusal to grant Norris mythical status—positions him as a title contender who understands championship battles hinge on consistency, not single-race heroics. As the only driver to lead the championship for 14 consecutive races this season, Piastri's 2026 campaign will test whether he can convert early dominance into ultimate success.