Oscar Piastri has expressed his willingness to support Lando Norris in his bid for a championship but has clarified that there is no formal “number two driver” clause in his contract with McLaren. The team has faced criticism this season for both failing to help Norris earlier and later for positioning Piastri as a support driver. Piastri has accepted this role in the short term but has made it clear that it is not unconditional. He emphasized that he and Norris still have equal opportunities within the team, driving the same car and having the same chances on track.
McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown has acknowledged that people have different opinions on the team’s decisions regarding Piastri and Norris. He affirmed that the current dynamic involves Piastri supporting Norris in the immediate situation, but clarified that Norris prefers to win races and championships on merit rather than by simply having Piastri step aside. This dynamic has sparked much discussion among fans, who have varying views on how McLaren should manage the relationship between its two drivers.
Danica Patrick, after speaking with Brown, revealed that the team does not have a fixed hierarchy between the drivers and that decisions about team orders are made on a race-by-race basis. Brown has daily conversations with both drivers to maintain a positive atmosphere within the team. This approach allows for flexibility depending on race conditions, and the team is careful to ensure the competitive spirit remains intact between Norris and Piastri.
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle weighed in on the situation, describing it as a longstanding challenge in Formula 1, where individual drivers must operate within a team environment. He pointed out that conflicts are inevitable, as was evident earlier in the season when McLaren could have managed certain races, such as Monza, differently. He also cautioned against placing Piastri in a permanent number two position, as it could harm his career long-term, referencing past drivers who struggled with such roles.
At the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull regained momentum, with Max Verstappen extending his championship lead over Norris. This marked a shift in the Constructors’ Championship as well, with Red Bull outscoring McLaren for the first time in several races, widening the gap between the two teams. Despite McLaren’s improvements, the team has missed key opportunities to close in on Red Bull, potentially costing them in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships.