Oscar Piastri said he expects “full fairness” from McLaren moving forward despite Lando Norris winning the drivers’ championship after finishing third in Monday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The McLaren duo jostled for the title and for much of the year the calm and collected Piastri appeared to hold the upper hand.
Nothing seemed to faze the Australian, and a three-win streak in Bahrain, Jeddah and Miami suggested the title was his to lose.
The weight of expectation as ‘champion-in-waiting’, however, then appeared to play mind games in Piastri’s head while the intra-team title battle threatened to get toxic at various points.
Externally, there were accusations of McLaren favouring Norris and the decision to ask Piastri to hand a position back to his McLaren teammate at Monza after a slow pitstop only intensified the conspiracy theories.
It also proved the difference in Norris being crowned champion given he finished just two points ahead of Max Verstappen.
Without the three points he gained from the swap from Piastri, Norris would have fallen short.
Either way, even with Norris now the defending champion, Piastri said he does not expect the dynamic between himself and the Brit to change next season.
MORE: McLaren boss called out for tone-deaf message in ‘horrible’ Piastri moment
Verstappen snaps back at reporter | 00:49
“No, I don’t think so, I don’t think that will change anything,” the Australian told reporters after the final race of the year.
“For me he’s obviously had a great season this year and a deserving champion, but he’s still Lando Norris — it’s not like he’s become Superman.
“So, I don’t think things will change with that. I’m expecting, obviously, full fairness from the team and kind of equality going forward and I don’t have any concerns that that will change at all.
“But yeah, I think clearly Lando’s had a very strong season this year and ultimately did a better job.”
‘Zak could’ve had a little more empathy’ | 01:26
McLaren had already wrapped up their second successive constructors’ title in Singapore but that feat was overshadowed as the friendly but feisty relationship between their two drivers boiled over, sparks flying on the streets of Singapore as the duelling duo collided wheel-to-wheel.
“So are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way there?” Piastri complained.
While Piastri conceded there was “tension at times” given the fact he was competing with Norris for the title, he added that it often brought out the best in both drivers.
“It is a testament to the way we go racing,” Piastri said.
“Obviously it’s not easy fighting for two, the constructors’ championship and the drivers’ championship, with two very evenly-matched drivers, but ultimately that’s a problem that we knew we were going to have.
“I think there’s a lot of good things that come from that.
“Yes, there’s difficult moments and tension at times, but I think both Lando and I have become better drivers from pushing each other to the limit and sometimes that’s been uncomfortable for everyone but I think ultimately it’s been a good thing.”
Lando in tears after being crowned champ | 02:42
Plus, even if it was “not quite the ending” Piastri hoped for, the future is undoubtedly bright for the Australian given he is just 24 years old and already pushing for a world championship.
“When you look at the season as a whole, I’m very proud of the work that I’ve been able to put in and my team have been able to put in to make so much progress from last year,” Piastri said.
“I’m looking forward to plenty more fights in the future.”
Discussion about this post