Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s “caged lions,” prepare for a thrilling battle as 2025 title hopes ignite.
McLaren F1 believes it can avoid tensions between its drivers, even as it compares Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to “two lions in a cage.”
The Woking-based team enters the 2025 season as a favorite, building on its momentum from 2024. However, unlike Red Bull, for instance, it does not have a clearly designated number one driver.
McLaren has previously faced criticism for its reluctance to impose team orders to support Norris, a stance that contrasts with its past, where relationships between teammates such as Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna or Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton often deteriorated.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, however, is confident that the environment he has cultivated will help prevent cracks in the pairing when asked if a fratricidal battle for the 2025 world title between his two drivers is to be expected.
“I’m not worried, but I’m aware that something like that could happen if you’re not careful.”
“There are plenty of examples in the past. Within our team, of course. Elsewhere too. Piquet versus Mansell, Hamilton versus Rosberg.”
“It depends a lot on the drivers’ personalities. We’re fortunate to have two lions in a cage, but they get along well.”
“The transparency we maintain at McLaren builds trust. And when a storm looms, we try to contain it before it escalates.”
“That’s why we always involve our drivers together in marketing activities, play golf together, and go out for dinner together in the evening.”
“This helps us handle tough situations, like managing pit stops in Hungary. I’m confident we can handle it in the future as well.”
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Norris and Piastri Unite in McLaren’s 2025 Title Hunt Norris and Piastri Unite in McLaren’s 2025 Title Hunt
