🔥Breaking news: McLaren’s internal turmoil is again after Lando Norris made accusations aimed directly at Oscar Piastri, leaving even Zak Brown helpless 👇👇
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster for McLaren, with their dominance on the track overshadowed by brewing tensions off it. The latest chapter in this saga unfolded after the Miami Grand Prix, where Lando Norris publicly aired grievances against teammate Oscar Piastri, accusing him of aggressive tactics that cost Norris valuable championship points. The outburst has plunged McLaren into a crisis, with team principal Zak Brown struggling to maintain harmony between his two star drivers, who are locked in a fierce battle for the Drivers’ Championship.
McLaren’s resurgence this season has been nothing short of remarkable. With five wins in six races, including a commanding one-two finish in Miami led by Piastri, the team has solidified its position at the top of both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. Piastri, the young Australian sensation, has emerged as the championship leader, holding a 16-point advantage over Norris. His clinical racecraft and ability to capitalize on McLaren’s MCL39’s pace have earned him widespread praise, with analysts like Martin Brundle noting his edge over Norris in high-pressure situations. Yet, this very success has sown seeds of discord within the team.
Norris, once seen as McLaren’s anointed number-one driver, has struggled to match Piastri’s consistency. His season started brightly with a victory in Australia, but a string of setbacks, including a costly qualifying crash in Jeddah and a controversial first-lap incident with Max Verstappen in Miami, has left him trailing. The Miami Grand Prix proved to be the breaking point. Norris, starting second, was forced off the track by Verstappen, dropping several places. While Piastri capitalized, overtaking Verstappen and cruising to victory, Norris fought back to second but was visibly frustrated post-race. In a heated press conference, Norris accused Piastri of failing to support him during the race, claiming the Australian prioritized personal glory over team strategy. “We’re a team, but it feels like I’m fighting alone out there sometimes,” Norris said, his words dripping with resentment.
The accusations have sent shockwaves through McLaren. Sources close to the team suggest Norris’ comments stem from a growing perception that Piastri is receiving preferential treatment. Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, has publicly maintained a neutral stance, insisting there are no team orders unless one driver is mathematically out of the title race. However, his hands-off approach has drawn criticism. Former FIA steward Johnny Herbert warned that Brown’s reluctance to designate a clear number-one driver could lead to one of the duo—potentially Norris—leaving the team. “You can’t have two alpha drivers racing like this without consequences,” Herbert said. Brown himself has acknowledged the inevitability of a Norris-Piastri clash, stating before Miami that it’s a matter of “when, not if.” Yet, his inability to mediate the current fallout has left McLaren vulnerable.
Piastri, for his part, has remained stoic. Responding to Norris’ accusations, he emphasized his commitment to racing hard but fairly. “I’m here to win races and the championship. That’s my job,” Piastri said, brushing off suggestions of internal favoritism. His calm demeanor contrasts sharply with Norris’ emotional outbursts, further highlighting the differences in their approaches. Posts on X reflect divided fan sentiment, with some praising Piastri’s focus and others sympathizing with Norris’ frustrations, believing he’s been unfairl
y overshadowed.
The tension comes at a critical juncture for McLaren. With the championship battle heating up and rivals like Red Bull’s Verstappen lurking just 32 points behind Piastri, internal unity is paramount. Brown’s strategy of letting his drivers race freely has fueled McLaren’s success but risks derailing it. The team faced similar challenges last season when Norris felt disadvantaged by strategic decisions, and the current situation echoes those unresolved issues. Adding fuel to the fire, McLaren’s technical dominance has attracted scrutiny, with Red Bull’s Christian Horner questioning their tyre management tactics, prompting Brown’s cheeky “tire water” jibe in Miami. While the FIA cleared McLaren of any wrongdoing, the external pressure only amplifies the internal strain.
As McLaren heads to the next race in Spain, all eyes are on Brown to restore order. Will he impose stricter team protocols, or continue to let Norris and Piastri battle it out? The latter risks further escalation, especially with Norris’ championship hopes hanging by a thread. For now, McLaren’s dream season is teetering on the edge, and unless Brown can quell the storm, the team’s biggest threat may not be their rivals, but themselves.
