Gary Anderson: McLaren Could Face Internal Driver Battle in 2025 F1 Season
McLaren’s resurgence in Formula 1, marked by its first Constructors’ Championship victory since 1998, could face a new challenge in 2025—managing the dynamic between drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, according to former F1 designer Gary Anderson.
The team’s impressive 2024 campaign saw Norris and Piastri outpace Ferrari’s lineup to secure the title. While the duo maintained a relatively harmonious working relationship throughout the season, tension arose before McLaren introduced its so-called “Papaya Rules” to manage on-track behavior. Until then, Piastri showed little inclination to play a supporting role to Norris, even when the Briton was mounting a late-season challenge against Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship.
Notable flashpoints included Hungary and Italy, where Piastri finished ahead of Norris, frustrating the latter’s attempts to close the points gap to Verstappen. However, as the season progressed, Piastri adopted a more team-focused approach, exemplified by his decision to yield to Norris during the Brazilian Sprint race. This cooperation was aided by Piastri’s slower start to the season, which had established Norris as the team’s de facto lead driver due to his points advantage.
Heading into 2025, that points gap is reset, and Piastri, now entering his third F1 season, will be eager to prove he can match or surpass Norris. Both drivers have demonstrated immense talent, with Anderson labeling them the most evenly matched pairing on the grid.
“From my point of view, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are the most evenly matched pairing on the grid,” Anderson commented. He warned that without clear team orders, McLaren must carefully manage the dynamic between the two to prevent internal conflict that could jeopardize their championship aspirations.
McLaren’s decision to avoid imposing strict team orders could be a double-edged sword. While it may foster healthy competition, it also risks creating tension if both drivers vie for supremacy on equal footing. Piastri’s improved confidence and experience could challenge Norris, who has been McLaren’s clear leader in recent years.
As McLaren aims to maintain its position at the front of the grid, the team will need to strike a delicate balance between allowing their drivers to compete freely and ensuring their rivalry doesn’t undermine their collective success.
