Piastri says his relationship with Norris unchanged after 2025 title battle
Summary
Oscar Piastri told the *High Performance* podcast that his off‑track relationship with Lando Norris stayed the same despite a tense intra‑team fight for the 2025 drivers’ championship, which Norris clinched at Abu Dhabi.
Australian rookie Oscar Piastri says his off‑track relationship with teammate Lando Norris stayed the same despite a fierce intra‑team fight for the 2025 drivers’ title, which Norris won at Abu Dhabi.
Why it matters:
- McLaren’s early dominance turned the internal rivalry into a season‑long headline.
- Keeping drivers on good terms protects team morale and sponsor confidence.
- A calm partnership shows how teams can manage title fights without internal damage.
The details:
- Piastri told the High Performance podcast that both drivers “are good at separating on‑track action from off‑track life.”
- Their joint marketing duties and daily interactions were “exactly the same” all season.
- The bond actually grew stronger in the second half as they got to know each other better.
- Both agree any tension was quickly handled by the team’s guidelines; no deliberate “cross‑the‑line” incidents.
What's next:
- With 2026 power‑unit rules looming, McLaren will count on a united driver line‑up.
- Piastri and Norris are expected to start 2026 with mutual respect, turning competition into progress.
- McLaren’s “no‑collision” policy could become a template for other teams.
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/oscar-piastri-explains-why-lando-norris-rival...