Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion, has stated that Oscar Piastri’s competitive drive at McLaren has pushed him significantly. Norris admitted Piastri’s intensity has been ‘too much for his liking’ at times, though he acknowledged it has made him a better driver.
Norris’s comments were made during the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed weekend. He reflected on the impact of his teammates, including Piastri, on his development as a racing driver.
Piastri has experienced a challenging yet character-building first half of the 2026 season. His campaign included two ‘Did Not Start’ results in Australia and China.
Despite early setbacks, Piastri has secured podium finishes this season. He claimed second place in Japan and achieved a second-place finish in the Miami Sprint race, followed by a third-place podium in the Miami Grand Prix.
The competitive dynamic was evident at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix. Piastri initially led the race after a strong start, but a collision with a backmarker and a subsequent gearbox issue forced his retirement.
Norris, who ultimately won the Hungarian Grand Prix, expressed frustration during the race about being held up by his teammate. He questioned team strategy over the radio, indicating he had significantly more pace.
In the 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings, Norris currently holds fifth position with 128 points. Piastri sits in seventh place with 92 points.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has praised the respectful approach between the drivers despite their on-track battles. Stella stated that healthy competition is beneficial for the team’s overall development.
Stella also expressed optimism regarding Piastri’s performance trajectory for the latter half of the season. He believes Piastri is still adapting to the characteristics of the 2026 cars.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are under long-term contracts with McLaren, ensuring stability in the team’s driver lineup. Piastri’s contract extends until at least the end of the 2028 season.
The internal competition has reportedly spurred McLaren’s technical department to accelerate development updates for the MCL38 chassis. This aims to maintain their competitive standing against rival teams.
The next event on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar is the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from August 21 to 23.
