With Piastri surpassing Norris in performance, McLaren may face a tough decision, potentially forcing Norris out, like Ricciardo before him.
In the world of Formula 1, competition can be fierce, and Lando Norris has been warned that he might face a situation similar to Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren F1.
Ricciardo was let go by McLaren at the end of 2022, despite having two years remaining on his three-year contract. His place was taken by Oscar Piastri, who, alongside Norris, has played a key role in McLaren’s resurgence, helping the team win the Constructors’ Championship in 2024.
Currently, Piastri holds a 10-point lead over Norris in the drivers’ standings, with three wins to Norris’ one across the first five races of 2025. Norris has faced criticism for several mistakes, including a crash during qualifying in Saudi Arabia, which left him starting in 10th position.
Former F1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes McLaren’s team bosses, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, will soon have to decide who will be the team’s number one driver, and this could lead to Norris being pushed out.
“There’s always a risk that either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri could leave McLaren because of their rivalry,” Herbert said. “But will McLaren really risk breaking up such a strong duo? At some point, they might not have a choice.”
“Just like Ricciardo left Red Bull after the rise of Max Verstappen and went to Renault, McLaren will eventually have to make a choice between their two drivers. It’s impossible to maintain an equal partnership forever.”
“One driver will eventually outshine the other, and McLaren will have to place more trust in that driver, hoping it’s a lesson learned from last season.”
“For now, Piastri seems to be in control and holds the advantage. Could Norris follow in Ricciardo’s footsteps and leave? It’s possible… but why would he? He’s fast enough to challenge Oscar in this championship or at least the next. Either way, their battle will be a fierce one.”
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Will Norris Be Sidelined by McLaren’s Piastri Rivalry? Will Norris Be Sidelined by McLaren’s Piastri Rivalry?
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