Piastri Demands Equal Shot in McLaren Title Battle

Oscar Piastri calls for full parity at McLaren as both drivers chase the world title in what’s shaping up to be a tight fight.

McLaren’s Lando Norris admits he needed a mental reset after a frustrating race in Bahrain, but he’s working hard to shift his mindset ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

After what should have been a celebratory third-place finish, Norris left Bahrain feeling flat. Despite being on the podium, he wasn’t satisfied with his performance or the weekend as a whole. But arriving in Jeddah, he’s been focusing on flipping that perspective.

“I needed a few days to reset,” Norris said. “Honestly, I could’ve used a bit more time off, but I made the most of it. For any athlete, even when you’re trying to disconnect, your mind still races with everything going on.”

Norris admitted his thoughts kept drifting to the things that weren’t working: “I kept thinking about the struggles I’ve had. But I’ve tried to force myself to focus on the positives—on the success we’ve had this season, even if I know it could have been better.”

He continued, “I have to remind myself—I’m leading the championship. I won the first race. I’ve been on the podium at every round so far. I need to remember those things, not overlook them. I know I’m not driving at my full potential yet, and I’m not okay with that. I want more.”

Norris is known for being his own toughest critic—something he views mostly as a strength: “I’m hard on myself, but 95% of the time, that’s a good thing. It’s what’s helped get me here, what’s helped me fight for a world championship with McLaren.”

But he also recognizes the danger of letting negativity spiral. “Sometimes I’ve focused too much on the bad and not enough on what’s gone well. If you told me before the season that I’d be leading the championship after four races, I’d be thrilled. So that’s something I need to get better at—acknowledging the wins.”

That said, Norris isn’t pretending everything’s perfect. He knows there’s still work to do.

“The biggest challenge is understanding why I’m struggling,” he explained. “We’ve started to pinpoint the areas I’m not comfortable with and what’s causing that discomfort. We’re making some changes for this weekend, and I’m pushing myself to improve in those areas.”

He’s realistic, though: “I’m not going into the race overconfident. Some things just won’t change overnight. There are still parts of the car that don’t suit my driving style, and I’ve never had to think about these things before. It’s new ground for me.”

Piastri Eyes Equal Treatment as McLaren Duo Chases Title

While Norris has been wrestling with form, Oscar Piastri has quietly become one of the most consistent threats on the grid—and he wants to make sure he’s on equal footing with his teammate as the title fight heats up.

“Qualifying is everything,” Piastri said. “No matter what’s going on within the team—pit stop strategy, clean air, or track position—it all starts with qualifying. Getting ahead early is a huge advantage.”

But he knows that’s not the whole story.

“Of course, qualifying is important, but with two teammates in nearly identical machinery, being in front whenever you can be makes a big difference. That’s why it’s critical that both drivers get equal treatment.”

With both McLaren drivers now in the mix for the drivers’ championship and the team holding a strong position in the constructors’ standings, Piastri is calling for fairness above all.

“This year is different,” he said. “We’ve got a real chance in both championships. So it’s only fair we both have the same equipment, the same opportunities, every weekend.”

“When we have the chance to keep things level, we absolutely should.”

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Piastri Demands Equal Shot in McLaren Title Battle Piastri Demands Equal Shot in McLaren Title Battle