Should McLaren favour Oscar Piastri?

A dilemma at the start of the season? It seems a bit early, but in this highly competitive and closed environment, it’s better to pay attention quickly. With McLaren since 2023, Oscar Piastri has settled in well. The Australian is becoming increasingly comfortable and fast in this single-seater. His two victories at the start of the season demonstrate this.

Despite these two excellent performances, he is behind Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings. This situation is explained by his mistake in Australia, in the rain. Fortunately for him, it was the only one. Otherwise, the man with #81 has always been very consistent in his performances. Much more so than his teammate, who makes multiple mistakes. Although they are not very penalizing, the accumulation has an impact.

While he has the best car on the grid, the Brit only managed the sixth-fastest qualifying time in Bahrain. Penalized at the start of the race for a gross avoidable blunder, this did not help matters. In Japan, he was unable to dislodge Max Verstappen in a single-seater that is increasingly showing its limits. Again in Bahrain, the very troubled Mercedes of George Russell was impossible to catch.

Managing egos

This raises a question. Does Lando Norris really have what it takes to be a world champion? Wouldn’t it be better to bet on Oscar Piastri, who is capable of competing with him and surpassing him regularly and in pure performance? For a few races now, the former Alpine protégé has been gaining momentum and could relegate the Briton to the position of second driver. But under these conditions, egos would need to be managed, especially Lando Norris’s, which would take a hit. A point that doesn’t seem to be McLaren’s strong suit. Just watch the replay of the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix to understand.

This year, the Woking team has a real chance to achieve the driver-constructor double. Red Bull is lagging, Mercedes can only rely on George Russell today, and Ferrari is still quite far off… But to achieve this result, some choices will have to be made. Establish a certain hierarchy.

Assume one’s words

Of course, it’s still very early in the season, and McLaren already has a certain lead, but a gap can quickly close in Formula 1. A retirement or a double retirement can happen quickly. And it doesn’t matter the reason: whether it’s mechanical, regulatory, or a collision.

After four Grand Prix races, Oscar Piastri has won two by being much cleaner than his teammate. If the trend continues, the Australian should benefit from the number 1 role to win his first drivers’ title. Unless Lando Norris focuses and becomes more serious, less extravagant.

Because, deep down, he is capable. He just needs to forget his childish side that stands out and his unnecessary remarks to tease his opponents when he isn’t able to do better. We still remember his statements about Max Verstappen when he had the best car on the grid. Yes, the car does a big part of the work, but the person sitting inside has to do the rest.

So now it’s up to Lando Norris to take on this leadership role and win with the McLaren that is above the pack and prove that it’s easy to win with such equipment. It’s up to him to get into the groove to prevent Oscar Piastri from soaring towards a crown that the Briton has been seeking for several seasons.