Montoya says harmony between McLaren’s drivers ‘will sour'

The McLaren garage, a beacon of papaya pride in this year’s Formula 1 title fight, is teetering on the edge of chaos, according to former Grand Prix star Juan Pablo Montoya.

As Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri battle for supremacy in a championship race tighter than a pit lane tyre change, the Colombian veteran warns that the team’s internal harmony is about to crash and burn.

Montoya, who knows a thing or two about racing under pressure, says McLaren faces a “million-dollar question” beyond just points: keeping both drivers content. The former Williams and McLaren charger suggests that once the final positions are locked, resentments over perceived lack of support could sour relationships within the team.

With the next race in Las Vegas looming, Montoya sees more than just a title decider on the horizon. The street circuit’s long straights and massive DRS zones, he predicts, will not only test the McLaren pair but also set the stage for a mental showdown that could define the team’s 2026 dynamic.

Internal Tensions Brewing

“The dynamic at McLaren will change, whoever wins the championship,” Montoya told betting website Poker Strategy. “I think the relationship between the drivers and the team will go sour, because one will say you didn’t do enough to help me win the championship.

“It will be hard to keep both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris happy. How will they manage the ‘papaya rules’ next year?” Montoya said.

Reflecting on the broader picture, Montoya insisted that the team’s in-house rules alone won’t dictate the outcome if McLaren’s car isn’t competitive.

“Those rules become irrelevant if McLaren don’t have a competitive car next year. That’s the million-dollar question still, who will have the dominant car next year?

“It could be Alpine, Aston Martin, Mercedes, we don’t know. If Red Bull ends up being slower than most other cars, Max Verstappen probably won’t even stay the whole year. He’ll take a sabbatical.”

Las Vegas: The Decisive Test

Montoya sees the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix as a critical moment for the internal title duel.

“I predict Red Bull to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix,” he said. “I think Max Verstappen will be really good. Lando Norris will finish on the podium, the big question is, has Oscar Piastri given up?”

Read also:

• Piastri: Relationship with Norris ‘better than ever’ despite title fight

For Montoya, the stakes are as psychological as they are mechanical.

“I think if Norris beats Piastri in Las Vegas, Piastri will be done, mentally. Las Vegas is the last opportunity for Piastri to make a difference and beat Norris, which is perfect.

“It is a do-or-die race on a street circuit, long straights and big DRS zones. It is going to be an amazing race.”

With tensions simmering and championship ambitions clashing, Montoya’s warning suggests McLaren could face as much drama off the track as on it, with Las Vegas set to be the ultimate test of skill, nerves, and team unity.

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