Ex-F1 driver and current FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes the 2025 season will bring a thrilling shift in McLaren’s internal dynamics, with Oscar Piastri free to challenge teammate Lando Norris head-on for supremacy.
The Woking-based team has historically maintained a policy of treating both drivers as equals, often referred to as the "papaya rules."
However, as Norris's title aspirations intensified this year, the team shifted its strategic focus to support the Briton in his long-shot title bid against Max Verstappen.
But the Red Bull driver’s recent remarkable São Paulo Grand Prix win from 17th on the grid, coupled with Norris’ lowly sixth-place finish, has widened Verstappen's points lead to a nearly insurmountable margin with only three races remaining.
Herbert believes that once Norris’s title bid is no longer feasible, McLaren will restore parity between him and Piastri – and this could be the catalyst for a fascinating shift in team dynamics.
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When asked about Piastri’s potential to fight Norris for top billing within McLaren, the former Grand Prix driver was unequivocal, noting that the young Aussie has proven he’s more than ready for the challenge.
“If we go to Abu Dhabi and the championship is done and it is not possible for Lando to win [the drivers' title], that will already have changed," Herbert told Vision4Sport.
"That will be letting Oscar be allowed to go out there and win the race if he can. The whole dynamic will swap over very quickly this year and will continue into 2025."
With a fresh slate in 2025, McLaren is likely to face increased pressure from other top teams. The season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes all gearing up to mount serious title bids of their own.
Within this context, Herbert sees the intra-team battle between Piastri and Norris as one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming season.
“It is really exciting," he said. "People need to be there to see the start of the season next year. It’s going to be one helluva fight the whole year between four teams.
“Oscar will be very difficult to beat but Lando has upped his game when he has had to and has been the man who has effectively led the team to be where it is at the moment.”
In Piastri, McLaren has a driver who, despite his rookie status in 2023, quickly demonstrated his potential with consistent performances and two outright Grand Prix wins this season that have kept him within striking distance of Norris.
But the 23-year-old has also shown an ability to adapt and excel under pressure, making him a formidable contender for 2025 and beyond.
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