Max Verstappen has expressed his candid views on the escalating rivalry between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as their battle for the Formula 1 world championship intensifies. The tension between the duo reached a boiling point during the Singapore Grand Prix when the pair made contact on the opening lap. Norris, who had an impressive start, aggressively fought his way through the field, overtaking both Kimi Antonelli and Piastri to secure third place early in the race.
The collision, however, left Piastri frustrated, feeling that his teammate’s maneuver was unnecessarily forceful. Despite the incident, Norris managed to maintain his position and finish third, while Piastri came in fourth — reducing the Australian’s championship lead to just 22 points with six races remaining. McLaren’s handling of the internal title battle has drawn sharp criticism throughout the season, particularly after team orders in previous races appeared to favor Norris.
One such controversy occurred during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Piastri was instructed to relinquish his position to Norris following the latter’s slow pit stop. The decision sparked outrage among fans and fellow drivers alike, including Verstappen, who reacted incredulously over the radio, questioning the fairness of the call. His reaction reflected a broader sentiment in the paddock that McLaren’s internal dynamics could destabilize their championship campaign.
Verstappen, recalling his own experience as a team leader, previously offered strong words of advice for Piastri. The Dutchman asserted that Piastri was “too talented” to accept a subordinate role within the team. He emphasized that even though Piastri was still early in his Formula 1 career, he should assert himself and refuse to be treated as a secondary driver. Verstappen, known for his assertive racing mentality, praised Piastri’s abilities and warned against sacrificing potential victories for team politics.
As the 2025 F1 season progresses, McLaren faces the difficult challenge of balancing fairness and competitiveness between its two star drivers. Verstappen’s comments underscore the growing pressure within the team as Piastri and Norris continue their fierce pursuit of glory. With the next race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, all eyes will be on McLaren to see how they manage their two ambitious drivers in what could define the championship outcome.
