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For a while now, McLaren has been viewed as having the ideal driver lineup — two young drivers who each have distinct strengths and get along well.
Oscar Piastri is recognized as a skilled racecraft expert who, while not having the best top speed over a single lap, offers a well-rounded skill set.
Lando Norris, on the other hand, tends to do well in qualifying and maintains a good pace while managing his tires well, but questions remain about his consistency in his mentality and approach.
Norris and Piastri pushed each other throughout the 2025 season, powering the team into two straight Constructors’ Championships and extracting a good deal of pace from one of the fastest F1 cars in recent memory.
May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; McLaren CEO Zak Brown looks on from the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Max Verstappen, in a car widely regarded as inferior to the McLaren, gave both Norris and Piastri a hard time. Eventually, Norris came out on top to quiet his doubters.
Although Norris has claimed the title, he is still not regarded as being on the same level as Verstappen, and the same applies to Piastri.
As Verstappen’s future with Red Bull becomes uncertain, there have been reports linking McLaren to the Dutch driver, suggesting that Piastri might be the one left out.
Naturally, as Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has grown murky, McLaren has been linked to the Dutchman, with reports that Piastri is the odd man out.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown went on the Up To Speed podcast to squash the notion that he is unhappy with his lineup.
“Well, I’ve got two awesome racing drivers, so if I had a third car, I would sign him in a heartbeat,” Brown said.
“But I don’t have a third car, so I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We won 14 races last year, two drivers who came down to the last race of the year with the chance to win the championship.
“They get along great; they set a great tone in the garage. So, I’m not making any driver changes; if you ever were, I think I said at the weekend, if someone slips on a banana peel.
“Max is an awesome talent, but I think Lando and Oscar have both demonstrated they can beat him straight up.”
While McLaren is indeed in a good spot, if Verstappen did become available, it is hard to see someone like Brown not at least exploring a move.
However, McLaren will need to be careful not to upset either of their drivers, or they could have bigger problems on their hands.
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Oscar Piastri is recognized as a skilled racecraft expert who, while not having the best top speed over a single lap, offers a well-rounded skill set.
Lando Norris, on the other hand, tends to do well in qualifying and maintains a good pace while managing his tires well, but questions remain about his consistency in his mentality and approach.
Norris and Piastri pushed each other throughout the 2025 season, powering the team into two straight Constructors’ Championships and extracting a good deal of pace from one of the fastest F1 cars in recent memory.
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May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; McLaren CEO Zak Brown looks on from the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Max Verstappen, in a car widely regarded as inferior to the McLaren, gave both Norris and Piastri a hard time. Eventually, Norris came out on top to quiet his doubters.
Although Norris has claimed the title, he is still not regarded as being on the same level as Verstappen, and the same applies to Piastri.
As Verstappen’s future with Red Bull becomes uncertain, there have been reports linking McLaren to the Dutch driver, suggesting that Piastri might be the one left out.
Naturally, as Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has grown murky, McLaren has been linked to the Dutchman, with reports that Piastri is the odd man out.
What McLaren said about the rumors?
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown went on the Up To Speed podcast to squash the notion that he is unhappy with his lineup.
“Well, I’ve got two awesome racing drivers, so if I had a third car, I would sign him in a heartbeat,” Brown said.
“But I don’t have a third car, so I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar. We won 14 races last year, two drivers who came down to the last race of the year with the chance to win the championship.
“They get along great; they set a great tone in the garage. So, I’m not making any driver changes; if you ever were, I think I said at the weekend, if someone slips on a banana peel.
“Max is an awesome talent, but I think Lando and Oscar have both demonstrated they can beat him straight up.”
While McLaren is indeed in a good spot, if Verstappen did become available, it is hard to see someone like Brown not at least exploring a move.
However, McLaren will need to be careful not to upset either of their drivers, or they could have bigger problems on their hands.
Continue reading...
