At McLaren, Norris and Piastri are 'free to fight' for victory

McLaren began 2025 as it had finished 2024: at the top. The British team assumed its status as favorite – which it nevertheless rejects – by scoring a double in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Lando Norris took a tenth pole position, which allowed him to equal the 1970 world champion, Jochen Rindt, ahead of his teammate Oscar piastriThe papaya duo had already locked out the front row at the final round of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, with the Briton also ahead of the Australian. Oscar Piastri, who races at home in the city where he grew up, acknowledged how important he is “great to start the year on the front line” while noting, not without humor, that he will start the race "a place further away than [he] would have liked."

By starting second, the Melbourne native still has every chance of winning, especially since the McLaren seems to be displaying a race pace superior to the competition, even if the possibility of wet weather could even things out. If he wants to become the first Australian to win on home soil, Oscar Piastri will have to overtake his teammate Lando Norris in any case, but will McLaren let them fight? Yes, both men assure, but not in just any conditions.

"There have obviously been discussions because we are prepared, because we know that we are going to have more of these kinds of situations during the season. assures Lando Norris. There are clearly rules that must not be crossed. Both cars must always stay in the race, but we are also competitors. That's clear. We both want to fight to win and take victories. We are free to fight, free to try to win races. But what allowed us to win the Constructors' title last year was the way we helped each other and kept things clean. A lot of that happened later in the season when outside elements were coming into play. At the moment, there is none of that."

McLaren trusts its drivers to stay clean

McLaren had indeed clarified the situation between its drivers after a few on-track skirmishes, notably in Budapest, where Oscar Piastri had been favored, something Lando Norris had difficulty accepting, then in Monza, where the Australian had allowed himself to attack his teammate at the start, something he had been forbidden to do. It was finally decreed that Oscar Piastri had to put himself at the service of his leader, who was then better placed in the championship and could legitimately believe in the title. Piastri complied by helping his teammate, who had given him back the machine, notably by braking on the finish line of the sprint race in Qatar to let the #81 win. But the start of a new season means that the counters are reset to zero between the two title contenders.

"We're free to race each other. I want to win as much as Lando does. He said it well." says Oscar Piastri.“I think in any team, not just McLaren, the number one rule is that there should be no contact. We have to give each other space. If there are opportunities for one of us to take advantage of a situation, we will. But at the end of the day, we race for the team. That’s important. We’ve said many times that the teamwork we showed last year helped us win the Constructors’ title. It’s important to acknowledge that. The car has been performing well for a while, but the team is also very strong. That’s the best way to put it.”

While the two boys are indeed team players, their fratricidal duel, which will begin at the first corner of the Australian Grand Prix, promises to be a hot topic. Be careful, however, not to commit the irreparable, especially if the rain gets involved.

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