Piastri: 'Norris Isn't Superman' Despite Championship Win

Oscar Piastri insists McLaren must treat him equally despite Lando Norris winning the drivers' championship, emphasizing his teammate hasn't gained superhuman status through his title victory. The Australian finished third in the standings after leading the championship for 15 races—a season-long effort undone in the final race when Norris clinched the crown despite finishing third.

Why it matters:

This dynamic tests McLaren's ability to maintain team harmony after ending a 26-year championship drought. With both drivers under long-term contracts, how the team allocates resources and manages expectations will directly impact their 2025 title defense—especially given Piastri's near-miss after leading for most of the season.

The details:

• Piastri explicitly stated: "He's still Lando Norris, it's not like he's become Superman" when addressing potential shifts in team treatment following Norris' championship.
• The Australian led the standings for a remarkable 15 races before the finale, making his third-place finish particularly painful after entering the final race as a title contender.
• During the decisive Las Vegas Grand Prix, Piastri made an early move on Norris through Turn 9 but couldn't pass Max Verstappen for the win.
• Verstappen's decision not to aggressively defend against Norris ultimately secured the championship for the Briton—crossing third while Piastri finished second.
• Piastri confirmed his expectation of "full fairness from the team and equality going forward," adding: "Lando had a very strong season and ultimately did a better job."

What's next:

McLaren faces immediate pressure to prove its commitment to equal treatment as both drivers enter 2025 with championship credentials. Team principal Andrea Stella must navigate:

• Resource allocation for car development, particularly with Piastri's proven pace over race distances
• Public messaging that validates Norris' achievement without diminishing Piastri's near-championship campaign
• Technical adjustments to address the strategic missteps that cost Piastri the title in Las Vegas

The true test comes at pre-season testing when both drivers receive identical machinery. How McLaren handles any performance discrepancies will signal whether this championship win creates a hierarchy—or strengthens their formidable 1-2 driver pairing for 2025.