BREAKING: LANDO NORRIS TURNED THE SCRIPT ON ITS HEAD IN THE MCLAREN TEAMMATE BATTLE WITH OSCAR PIASTRI … Read more

LANDO NORRIS TURNS THE TABLES ON OSCAR PIASTRI AS McLAREN’S TEAMMATE BATTLE TAKES A DRAMATIC TWIST

 

The internal battle at McLaren has become one of the most fascinating stories in Formula 1, and according to former driver Johnny Herbert, Lando Norris has completely changed the narrative in his rivalry with teammate Oscar Piastri.

 

When Piastri arrived at McLaren in 2023, many expected the Australian rookie to spend several seasons learning from Norris, who had already established himself as the team’s leading driver. Instead, Piastri immediately impressed the Formula 1 paddock with his speed, composure, and racecraft, putting Norris under pressure from the very beginning.

 

For a time, it even appeared that McLaren had found a driver capable of challenging Norris for the position of team leader. During the opening stages of the 2025 campaign, Piastri looked like the stronger of the two drivers and quickly built momentum in the championship fight. At one point, the Australian held a 34-point advantage and seemed to have the upper hand in the battle for the world title.

 

However, the balance of power gradually shifted as the season progressed.

 

Norris found another level in the second half of the championship, producing a series of outstanding performances that ultimately secured him his maiden Formula 1 world championship. Since then, many observers believe the British driver has emerged as the clear leader within the McLaren garage.

 

Speaking about the rivalry, Herbert suggested that Norris has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last year.

 

“Oscar Piastri blew a 34-point lead last season and is now very much in Lando Norris’ slipstream,” Herbert said.

 

The former Formula 1 driver believes Norris has developed significantly in terms of maturity and consistency, allowing him to take control of the battle that once looked evenly matched.

 

For years, Norris was viewed as McLaren’s long-term project, much like Ferrari’s faith in Charles Leclerc. Yet Piastri’s arrival threatened that status quo. The Australian quickly adapted to Formula 1 and demonstrated that he was capable of challenging Norris on equal terms.

 

Despite Piastri’s early success, Herbert believes the momentum has now shifted decisively.

 

“Over the last six months, we have seen Lando’s growing maturity and how he has completely turned the script on its head,” Herbert explained. “Hungary was the prime example of that.”

 

The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix highlighted the current gap between the two drivers. Norris delivered a dominant performance, converting his pace into victory, while Piastri struggled to match his teammate’s speed throughout the weekend.

 

Herbert questioned whether Piastri can consistently reach the level required to defeat Norris over an entire season.

 

“Can Oscar get to that next level to beat Lando? Yes. But can he do it consistently? That’s where he is weak, and that’s why he’s going to be very much on the back foot.”

 

Nevertheless, there are those who argue that McLaren’s internal policies may have contributed to Piastri’s decline in momentum during the 2025 season. Critics have pointed to the controversial “Papaya Rules” and strategic decisions that appeared to favor Norris at crucial moments.

 

One example frequently mentioned is the Italian Grand Prix, where Piastri was asked to move aside following a problematic pit stop involving Norris. Some believe decisions like that disrupted Piastri’s championship challenge and strengthened Norris’ position within the team.

 

As if the pressure on Piastri were not already significant, fresh rumors linking Max Verstappen with McLaren have added another layer of uncertainty.

 

Speculation continues to grow that Verstappen could join McLaren in 2028, potentially reuniting with his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who is reportedly set to join the Woking-based outfit.

 

Herbert believes such a move would dramatically increase the pressure on Piastri.

 

“Oscar is going to be under a lot of pressure,” he said. “There are still a lot of rumors about Max maybe joining McLaren as well.”

 

The former driver even suggested that Verstappen’s arrival could trigger a chain reaction across the driver market, potentially opening the door for Piastri to move elsewhere, including to Red Bull.

 

“If Oscar is looking at going somewhere else, or is forced to go somewhere else, you want to be in a position where you are the dominant force in the team you’re currently in,” Herbert explained.

 

For now, though, Piastri’s focus remains on rediscovering the form that once made him appear capable of becoming McLaren’s future number one driver.

 

According to Herbert, the challenge facing the Australian is enormous.

 

“Oscar has got to dig deep, and he’s got to turn it around. But this year it will be tougher for him because he is up against a much stronger Lando Norris.”

 

Norris’ world title triumph appears to have fundamentally changed the dynamic within McLaren. Confidence, momentum, and experience are now firmly on the Briton’s side, while Piastri faces the difficult task of closing the gap.

 

Formula 1 has always been a sport defined by fine margins, and fortunes can change rapidly. For Norris, the last twelve months have transformed him from McLaren’s promising star into the benchmark within the team. For Piastri, the mission is clear: respond to the challenge and prove that the battle between the two McLaren teammates is far from over.